The government through the Attorney General sued the Project Affected Persons, accusing them of declining to receive the compensation fees allocated to them during the property evaluation process, which threatens the implementation of the pipeline project.
Last year, Uganda introduced the injectable ARV Cabotegravir as a pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) option for HIV prevention and treatment, but its usage remains limited due to availability challenges.
According to statistics by a non-government health support organization of Babies and Mothers Alive-BAMA, last year a total of 269 new babies died in the two districts before they could make one month. Of the total perinatal deaths, Kyotera district posted 162 babies, while Rakai district had 107 babies.
The government entered into a 2-year pre-financing agreement with a Chinese firm; Chongqing International Construction Corporation-CICCO, which has commenced the project works, whose completion will take four years.
Sulait Kyambadde, the Chairperson of the Kyotera Animal Traders and Butcher Owners Association says that closing down livestock-related businesses has grave financial implications for individuals, communities and the economy.
Johnpaul Lukwago Mpalanyi, the Member of Parliament for Kyotera County and chair of the District Roads Committee, voices worries that the much-awaited project may face obstacles due to speculators attempting to secure properties along the designated route, including encroachment on road reserves.
Enos Mugisha a cattle keeper in Bukaala parish, Kabira sub county indicates that they have seen cases where people have buried carcasses in grazing fields hence exposing more herds to risks of contracting the virus.
Dr. John Lutaaya, the Kyotera District Veterinary Officer, explains that they've extended the livestock movement quarantine due to reports of the spread of the disease to other parts of the district beyond its initial sighting. Initially, a two-month quarantine was declared in the neighboring sub-counties of Kabira and Nabigasa.
The PAPs contend that Ssali, who also serves as the local Project Liaisons Coordinator, did not meet their expectations as he allegedly misrepresented them to the project evaluation teams, resulting in unfair compensation entitlements.
In March 2022, the government initiated the process of repossessing the former Sango-bay sugar estates located in Kakuuto, Kabira, Kyebe, and Mutukula sub-counties of Kyotera district. The aim was to convert the land into Oil Palm tree plantations as part of the National Vegetable Oil Development program.
The affected facilities include; Kakuuto Health IV, Minziiro Health Centre II, Nazareth Primary School Kannabulemu and Gwanda Primary Schools in Kyebe Sub County, and Kibumba primary school in Kasensero town council among others.
Apollo Mugume, the Kyotera Resident District Commissioner also shares that same frustration as the political leadership, indicating that such centrally awarded contracts frustrate his monitoring roles because the contractors often dodge to provide him with accountability.
Doctor Grace Nambatya, the Director of Research at NCRI says they are going to carry out clinical trials on the late Anatooli’s herbal medicine combinations, with a view of preserving his knowledge and promoting the use of natural therapies for various illnesses.
Teopista Nassali aged 80 years and Protazio Mugenyi who is 62 years, both residents of Mabaale in Kabira sub county, Kyotera district indicate that they have since been receiving monthly stipends of 20,000 shillings to cater for their basic necessities of life, but the money can no longer do much given the rising prices.
Agnes Namusiitwa, the Kyotera LC V Vice Chairperson and Kakuuto Sub County LC V councilor, says that girls as young as thirteen years have fallen victim to the obsolete cultural practice of bridal kidnap, which is acceptable among some communities in Kyotera and Rakai districts.
Led by Vincent Birimuye, the petitioners are opposed to the 33,000 and 25,000 Shillings as the evaluated cost for coffee and banana plants respectively, arguing the rates are unfair compared to the evaluation reports in other districts.
Muhammad Nsubuga, the Southern Regional Police Spokesperson, says that the officers managed to retrieve Kiwanuka’s body and handed it to his family members after a postmortem.
Kiwanuka arrived in Kyakuduse on Tuesday evening to fix the pump but got trapped in the tank due to insufficient oxygen supply. It is alleged that the snap hook on his climbing buckle broke and he fell inside the tank and had no way of getting out.