Category: Blog

Kasese District Local Government Chairpersons of standing committees of council were sworn in yesterday 10^th January 2023  at the district headquarters.

The new chairpersons include ; Hon. Masereka Benard  , the Chairperson for works and Technical services committee, Hon. Kisole Yonasani – Chairperson Social services committee, Hon. Ategeka Lakisisi Adolph- Chairperson Production, Marketing and Natural resources , Hon. Kule Wilson- Chairperson Finance , planning and Administration.

These were voted in council meeting which sat in December 2023 after the outgoing team had served their term of office which is 2 years and a half as mandated by the law.

At the swearing Ceremony , the new chairpersons who were accompanied by their family members and relatives pledged their commitment to work with management and other political leaders to deliver their mandate as chairpersons of standing committees.

The Chief Administrative Officer, Mr. Byamungu Elias argued the incoming chairpersons of the standing committees of council to ensure continuous consultation of the outgoing chairpersons and the technical staff for technical guidance .

Mr. Byamungu pledged to continue facilitating the committee to ensure that they effectively deliver services to the people of Kasese.

The District speaker Hon. Mayora Johnson asked the incoming chairpersons to cooperate with heads of Departments for effective service delivery. Hon. Mayora condemned the bad practice of political leaders fighting technical people which affects performance .

Hon. Kisole Yonasani requested for collaboration between members of DEC and Chairpersons of standing committees through having joint meetings that will enable them plan in a coordinated manner.

The chairpersons are the heads of the standing committees of council and their core mandate is to ensure effective planning and utilization of government funds .

Congratulations .

The End.

Hundreds of stakeholders gathered in Kitswamba town council yesterday 8^th December 2023 to commemorate 16 days of activism against gender based violence.

16 days of Activism is a global campaign to call for an end to violence against Women and Girls. The campaign runs every year from 25^th November, the international day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, to 10 December which is a Human rights day.

Kasese is among the highly  ranked districts in Uganda in gender based violence and Kitswamba town council where the commemoration event took place is ranked second in the district in teenage pregnancies.

The commemoration event organized by Kasese District Local Government and Partners was presided over by the Deputy RDC in charge of Busongora Mr.Mubingwa Zephanus and attended by different stakeholders including district and Subcounty political and technical leaders.

While addressing the people, Mr. Mubingwa Zephanus, seriously condemned the habit of assaulting wives and abandoning children which was reported to be on the rise in Kitswamba Town council.

He called upon husbands to love and protect their wives. The deputy RDC referred to the bible which says that whoever finds the wife finds a good thing and obtains favor from God.

He emphasized the need for the community to work towards building peace and adding value to their families, community and the world.

A number of GBV survivors gave their tear-jerking experiences of going through different forms of gender based violence and added to the voice of other stakeholders to call for the end of violence against women and girls. . Among them was Biira Michealine a 17 year old girl who was abandoned by her father over a misunderstanding between her mother and her father. Michealine narrated how her father denied her a chance to go to school because he believed that she was not his biological child.

Machealine is among thousands of children who are experiencing different forms of gender based violence in Kasese district as reported by the senior Community Development officer, Mrs. Asiimwe QueenGonda

The deputy Chief Administrative officer Mr. Begumya Ntarwete Eliab appreciated development partners in kasese for supplementing efforts of government in bid to end gender based violence.

He asked all stakeholders to come together and fight stumbling blocks to efforts of partners and government in ending reducing GBV in Kasese.

The District Chairperson, Mr Muhindi Bukombi Erifaz encouraged the people of Kistwamba to invest in taking their children to school as a sustainable investment.  He also emphasized the need for husbands to use peaceful dialogues to solve issues in their families than using violence.

Kasese District Local government has launched construction of Mahango ,Nyakabingo ,Muhokya  road today 7th Nov 2023 in Nyakabingo Subcounty.

The project launched by the RDC LT. Joe Walusimbi will cost 434,133,582= and is funded under the Government of Uganda Roads rehabilitation/maintainance development Grant.
Works will include setting out , site clearance, and grading including earth works, drainage works, Gravelling, and completion works.
The project will also integrate environmental protection, including planting trees along the road.

The LC I Chairperson of Nyakabingo Bwambale Lozio Mukyezo Nyakabingo appreciated Government for prioritising Nyakabingo – Mahango road. He mentioned that their greatest challenge has been transporting their goods to Mawa Market because of the poor road condition. He added that rehabilitation of the road will ease movement to the market.

The district counsellor representing Nyakabingo, Hon. Kabugho Scovia called upon residents to appreciate the efforts of political leaders from Mahango who have successfully lobbied for funds to rehabilitate Nyakabingo, Mahango road.

The Deputy Chief Administrative officer, Mr Ntarwete Eriab, asked residents of Mahango , Nyakabingo, and Muhokya to ensure cooperation with engineers for effective implementation. He informed them that the project doesn’t cater for compensation and, therefore, they should not interrupt work.

He asked farmers to utilise the road transport their goods to the market and access health services .

The District Vice Chairperson, Hon. Ham Natuhwera asked the district engineer to work with local leaders during the implementation of the project to avoid complaints from the community.

He appealed to the residents of Mahango, Nyakabingo and Muhokya to support successful implementation of the project without obstacles because, for a long time, it has been their outcry and government has given it a priority.

He assured members of the community of more projects in the next FY 2024/25.

The RDC LT. Joe Walusimbi appreciated Mahango community for supporting the ruling government and asked the engineer to ensure value for money .
He committed to monitoring the project to ensure effective implementation.

The project  Phase 1 will be implemented in this  FY 2023/2024.

Kasese District Local Government has  launched community Sports activities today 3rd October 2023  at the district headquarters. District leadership  handed about 30 balls to captains of different community football and netball teams at the launch.

This is a new initiative of government through Ministry of Education and Sports to mobilize the community to engage in sports and other government development initiatives targeting mostly the youth.

At the launch, the  District  Chairperson Hon. Bukombi Erifaz, urged the youth to utilize this initiative to organize themselves in groups, register as saving groups to tap into other government development opportunities. He also emphasized the need to conduct tournaments at constituency level and asked the district to spearhead these sports activities to happen soon.

The Deputy Chief Administrative Officer Mr Ntarwete Eliab called upon the people who will be using the balls to ensure maintenance and replacement of the balls incase of damages to ensure continuity of the program.

The Youth chairperson Kanyama also called upon his fellow youth to positively embrace government programs that target the youth and ensure positive utilization for economic development. He condemned the youth for mishandling other funds and not paying back timely.

Other stakeholders who attended the lunch included the District Vice Chairperson, the District Speaker , technical staff and community leaders of youth groups.

Government is using this as a tool to mobilize community members to engage in development programs as well as promoting sports activities in the community.

By Kabugho Sharon.

Yesterday, Kasese District leadership , primary triumphantly welcomed back the primary pupils who went to participate in the national football and netball national competitions that took place in Mbarara city at Kacheka playground.

In the competitions, the girls emerged  the 3 out of 138 in the country in netball  as  the boys took it to semi finals.

The welcome event was organized by the Association for primary headteachers who received the participants from KCCL traffic point and led the procession to the district headquarters through Kasese town where the district top leadership received them.

The welcome event was attended by the District Chairperson and other members of  DEC, the CAO and his technical team , among others.

While addressing the pupils, the district chairperson congratulated them for the outstanding performance and wonderful representation of Kasese district in the national competitions. He mentioned that as district leadership ,they are trying to lobby for a spots academy in Kasese which will support young people to develop in talent and be able to compete at international level.

The Chief Administrative Officer  urged the district planning and budgeting desk to ensure sports in budgeted for to avoid headteachers funding sports activities from UPE funds.

The team received certificate awards and bronze medals for the outstanding performance which were handed over by the District chairperson, Chief Administrative Officer , District Speaker , Secretary Social services and Chairperson social services respectively.

Over 2000 from all over the world turned up for the Tusterlite Rwenzori Marathon today in Kasese .The most Mountain Challenge involved a 42KM route, 21KM route and 5KM and participants included professional and unprofessional athletes from different parts of the world.

Komwei Vitalis emerged the best male runner in 42 Kilometers, Viola Chemos Munerya the best female in 42 Kilometers , while the best female in 21 km, is Ms. Ajok Dorcus and the best male in 21 km,  Abel Chibet all from Kapchorwa district.

The run also attracted people from different walks of life including  persons with disabilities , the elderly and children . And served as a platform for advocating for inclusiveness.

.The business community also reported an increase in income as hotels, boda-bodas, market vendors and others ran out of stock as the demand for their products raised beyond their capacity.

District leaders who joined the Marathon included; the State Minister for National Guidance , Hon. Godfrey Baluku Kabyanga, Kasese Municipal MP. Hon. Ferigo Kambale, Hon.Harold Tony  Muhindo, Hon. Sowedi Kitanywa, TheDistrict Chairperson and the Mayor for  Kasese Municipality, Chance Kahindo among others.

They expressed their gratitude to the organisers of the Marathon and partners like Nile Breweries , Hima Cement , Britam and other partners for choosing Kasese for the Rwenzori Marathon and giving them an opportunity to showcase the potentials in the district and all pledged continuous participation and support.

The Rwenzori Tusker Lite Marathon is part of the Rwenzori Theluji festival which will annually happen in Kasese  to showcase the stunning landscapes of the Rwenzori Mountains and Queen Elizabeth National Park, including its famous glaciers, towering peaks, lush forests and expansive savannah.

Key national and International actors in Tourism converged today at Rwenzori international Hotel- kasese municipality to discuss Tourism, trade and investment opportunities and potentials in Kasese and Rwenzori region at large ahead of the Tusker lite Rwenzori Marathon.

The Summit comes as one of the major activities under the Rwenzori Theluji Festival which was launched and gazetted by Minister of state for Tourism Hon. Martin Behinduka Mugarra in year 2022 as a national event to annually happen in Kasese.

The summit which was organized by Kasese Tourism Investors Forum with support from Uganda Tourism Board was attended by delegates from different government agencies and private sector to discuss the future of  Kasese as the best tourism destination.

At the Summit, the key note speaker Hon. Godfrey Kabyanga Kiime the Minister of State for ICT and National Guidance assured congregates of Government commitment to continue building an enabling environment for tourism development in Kasese. He also assured the visitors of the security in the district.

The summit was also attended by Rev James Kim a specialist on Mind Education from Korea who urged Ugandans to embrace voluntarism as the best way to transform their communities. He condemned the bad habit of Ugandans blaming the government for poverty without making voluntary contributions.

Richard Nuwesiga Acting director Investment, Innovation shared on opportunities of investment in Kasese and how the people of Kasese can utilise the Innovation Village which has been planned to be set in the industrial park to give an opportunity to small investors in different value chains.

Amos Wekesa a tourism Investor and lead mobiliser for the Tusker lite Rwenzori Marathon said that he is working so hard to see the Tusker lite lite Marathon become one of the best world’s Marathons. He added that their major target is to bring about 4000 runners to participate in the Rwenzori Tusker lite next year.   He asked the people of Kasese to utilize the Marathon opportunity to make money.

The Rwenzori Theluji event will continue happening in Kasese as an annual Tourism event and comes as a blessing for the actors in Tourism and beyond.

H.E the President of the Republic of Uganda Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has today commissioned the One Stop Border post and the Border Export zone at Uganda – DRC border in Mpondwe Lhubiriha Town council.

The commissioned facilities will bring together all the different agencies of Government involved in export trade including Security, URA , Ministry of Trade , among others and will facilitate over 25000 traders to conduct inter border trade.

Since 2020, business at the border has been affected by the closure of the border due to COVID-19 outbreak which affected the traders and other members of the community whose livelihoods were dependent on cross border business.

In reference to this, the hosting LCI Chairperson and the LC V Chairperson Hon. Muhindi Erifaz Bukombi requested the President to officially open the border to allow the business community conduct cross border business smoothly.

In addition to the above request, the district Chairperson requested the President to consider the following issues; upgrading of  Rukoki HC IV to a hospital, settlement of internally displaced persons(IDPs) , desilting of the rivers, finding a potential investor for kilembe mines company limited , among others.

While addressing the delegates, the President emphasized the issue of commercial farming to improve household incomes.

He called upon families to embrace utilizing inherited land for income generation and children holding shares instead of dividing land for selfish interests.

As requested by the district leadership, the president officially opened the Mpondwe Lhubiriha border and stopped collection of money from citizens to allow them cross the border.

The president pledged to critically look into the District Chairpersons Memorandum presented to him and respond to all the issues raised accordingly.

The event was attended by delegates from Uganda the DRC including security officials, Political leaders , Local Government officials and business community  stakeholders who appreciated Government for these vast projects that will strengthen inter border trade.

Kabugho Sharon

Communications officer.

Kasese District celebrated Women’s day yesterday the 12th of  April 2022  in Hima Town Council at Hima Catholic playgound in Busongora North constituency. The function was presided over by Hon. Peace Mutunzo the minister of state for Gender, Labor, and Social-Economic Development as the chief guest.

The women MP Kasese Hon Florence Kabugho called upon Kasese leaders to unite towards addressing issues affecting Women. In her words, ” Issues affecting women don’t know your party, they don’t know your religion, they can affect you despite who you are or where you belong “. She added that she did not consider her party to participate in Women’s day celebrations and that is how all leaders should be acting.

The Chief Guest, Hon Minister Peace Mutunzo, called upon Men of Kasese to stop the vice of beating Women .She also condemned early pregnancies and early marriages where Kasese is still among the leading districts and urged parents to take good care of their daughters for a better tomorrow. she recommended division of Kasese District for effective service delivery and also urged Kasese leaders to unite towards the development of Kasese.

As part of celebrating Women, 6 Women and I man were awarded for their struggle of addressing issues affecting women and for being exemplary  to other  women.  Among these were , Mrs Dorothy Nzirambi the Founder Nzirambi Foundation, Mama Agnes Nyabaghole , Hon. Hilda Maate Wabukombi the first female Mayor in Kasese District, the LC III chairperson Mbunga Subcounty , Katugume Fred for advocating for womens rights from Justice Centres Uganda, among others.

The function ended successfully with a lot of entertainment from different schools and Women groups .

As the world celebrates World Day against Child Labor on June 12, 2020 under the theme, “Protect children now, more than ever before”, Kasese district will focus on the impact of the current covid-19 and floods crises on children.

While in the struggle to combat COVID-19, Kasese district experienced concurrent floods on 7^th 10^th and 20^th May 2020 affecting 9,916 households, 48947 people, with about 80% of being children. In addition, the district has frequently faced long droughts which affect the level of production.

Unfortunately, because of the effects of the crisis on livelihoods, children are often the first to suffer. The crisis has the potential danger of pushing more of these already vulnerable children into child labor because most parents have lost their livelihoods and therefore unable to provide for their children, a situation that is likely to lure more children into child labor for survival.

According to the Senior Labour Officer Kasese, Karafule Swaib, “Already there is an estimated 25,000 children in Kasese engaged in child labor.”

These children are now at even greater risks of dropping out of school altogether or spend more time outside school eking a living.

Most children work because of household’s poverty to provide for food, shelter, clothing, school fees and scholastic materials (books and uniform)”

In Kasese child labour is found in agriculture, sand mining, brick making, store quarrying, boda boda, street and market vending, street children, fishing, maids, child marriage, prostitution and car washing.

To combat this vice, Sub-Counties and divisions should target households that supply child labor and link them with social protection services like UWEP, YLP, SAGE and Operation Wealth Creation (OWC).

The parents of children in child labour should take their children to free primary and secondary education (UPE and USE)

Or: Stakeholders at various levels should do more to senstise the families that produce child labour about the benefits of education and to re-orient the mindset about available education programmes like the Universal Primary Education (UPE) and the Universal Secondary Education (USE).

The Civil Society Organisations should initiate programmes like school feeding programmes and re-integration of children affected by child labour into the school system.

However, the ultimate answer to feeding day school children lies in the improving household food security so that families can properly feed their children before and after school and pack lunch for their children.

Kabugho Sharon

Communications Officer