Aol Betty Ocan
It’s time to open our worship places
Thursday August 13 2020
Covid-19 has erased some of the societal morals that united us. Uganda is a God-fearing nation, but unfortunately, due to the lockdown, the citizens of our great country cannot gather to seek God’s intervention, the devil is taking dominance. If people do not worship God together, they are spiritually derailed. We cannot allow the devil to rule over us. It’s now four months since places of worship in Uganda were closed.
Government has continued to keep silent.
The Opposition in Parliament demands for the immediate opening of places of worship in Uganda after a series of months of closure due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Uganda is eminently shocked by government remaining hell-bent on not commenting on the fate of opening religious institutions.
The Opposition in Parliament demands for the immediate opening of places of worship in Uganda after a series of months of closure due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Uganda is eminently shocked by government remaining hell-bent on not commenting on the fate of opening religious institutions.
First, it must be noted that Uganda’s Motto is ‘For God and My Country.’ This, therefore, implies that God shall always guide us through tough times like these. This is the time we must be deep in prayer, repentance, forgiveness and acts of building the church and God’s/Allah’s Kingdom. The act of government keeping places of worship closed has a spiritual and overly negative implication on the country and its stability.
The Bible says in Jeremiah 1:16, “I will punish my people because they have sinned; they have abandoned me, have offered sacrifices to other gods and have made idols and worshiped them.” As leaders we should not invite the wrath of God upon us. Notably, it is important to learn lessons from neighbouring countries on the process they are taking to return to normalcy.
Rwanda, for example, resolved to reopen places of worship. US President Donald Trump on May 22 declared religious services essential. It is also evident that President Museveni has formerly called for national prayers at State House in which the congregation was ably managed. This can also be applicable to churches and mosques.
Taking cognisance of the above fact, churches may be used as a channel for proper sensitisation of the masses. When people are going through hard times, they need encouragement from the church. History reminds us of the times of Ebola, where places of worship remained open with strict adherence to standard operating procedures.
Regrettably, the institutions of worship remain closed while NRM politicians are gathering masses in the electoral period.
The Minister of Health, Dr Jane Ruth Aceng and counterparts, including the Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs, Prof Ephraim Kamuntu, have been cited for such conduct without any effort to disperse the crowds that gathered around them.
Further, the NRM party structures are holding meetings in churches without due regard to the SOPs. The President in conjunction with his scientists downplay this question with actual knowledge and magnitude of its importance.
Government should open places of worship in a bid to return to normalcy and also encourage the continuous observance of the Ministry of Health guidelines on Covid19. As much as some churches have resorted to preaching using TVs and radios, these are applicable to a few, given people in rural areas do not have electricity.
Religious leaders should adhere SOPs. Places of worship should enforce strict observance of social distancing. As an adhoc measure, worship time may be adjusted to make services shorter. Government must also dialogue with stakeholders, including the Inter-Religious Council of Uganda to come up with other appropriate measures.
Ms Ocan (MP), is Leader of the Opposition in Parliament.
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Landlord burns self to death over financial challenges
Friday August 14 2020
A Nakulabye landlord has become the latest victim of ‘self-immolation’ following similar cases in the recent months.
Andrew Mukiibi, 28, a resident of Nakulabye Zone 5 in Kampala City, set himself on fire and died over challenges suspected to be related to finances.
The incident happened on Thursday afternoon at about 2:30pm.
According to a police officer at the scene, who preferred anonymity since he is not allowed to speak to the press, the now deceased Mukiibi, picked a jerrycan full of petrol from his car at around lunch time and went with it in one of the toilets at his rentals.
The officer said the neighbours did not take keen interest in what he was going to do with the jerrycan until they heard him crying out loud.
"When they rushed to his rescue, they found him engulfed in fire. By the time, they put out the fire, he had sustained severe burns and died on the spot. The police later picked the body and took it,” the officer told Daily Monitor.
Incidents of people attempting or actually burning themselves started to emerge since the government imposed a lockdown in its efforts to contain the spread of the deadly coronavirus in the country. Whereas it was done in ‘good faith’, the lockdown left several Ugandans in financial distress as it caught many by surprise.
A deputy head teacher in Masuliita, Wakiso District, set himself ablaze and died last week reportedly due to financial challenges. Another teacher burnt himself to death in Eastern Uganda when he failed to get money to feed his family.
The police officers' attempts to understand why Mukiibi took his life hadn't yielded results since deceased's wife, whom they wanted to talk to, collapsed and was still unconscious in hospital, where she was rushed by press time. But some neighbours told police that the deceased had financial challenges.
When contacted, the Kampala Metropolitan Police deputy spokesperson, Luke Owoyesigyire, said he had heard about incident but needed to get facts from the officers at the scene.
By press time, he hadn't yet responded.
Last week, a 40-year old man burnt himself and died after a woman, who was his neighbour, rejected him in Masanafu, a city suburb.
In July, a man set his house on fire killing his baby and also injured himself and the wife after suspecting her of having a love affair with another man.
A vendor in Kazo in Western Uganda also burnt himself and sustained injuries after he was given a traffic express penalty ticket.
A taxi driver attempted to burn himself at Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) headquarters, but his suicide attempt was foiled by police officers who arrested him.
He was protesting government regulations of taxis, which he said had affected their business yet they were already facing financial distress following the lockdown.
He was protesting government regulations of taxis, which he said had affected their business yet they were already facing financial distress following the lockdown.
In July still, a boda boda rider set himself on fire and died after his motorcycle was impounded by police officers who later allegedly solicited for a bribe. The officers were later arrested and prosecuted in the police disciplinary court.
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CRIME XCLUSIVE! INSECURE HUBBY: City Teacher Chops IHK Nurse Into Pieces, Flees
https://www.secondopinion.co.ug/crime-xclusive-insecure-hubby-city-teacher-chops-ihk-nurse-into-pieces-flees/
By Francis Otucu
Kampala Metropolitan Police (KMP) are investigating two incidents of murder that were as a result of domestic violence.
![Shock as International Hospital Kampala nurse is chopped to death ...]()
The first incident happened Sunday in Kigoma village, Bujuuko.
It is alleged that on August 2, 2020, Sarah Namuwonge, 24, a businesswoman renting at mama Nagawa’s house was shot by her boyfriend, a private security guard, killing her instantly.
The suspect, currently on the run, has only been identified as Byaruhanga.
KMP Deputy Spokesman, Luke Owoyesigyire confirmed the incident, saying, “Our officers visited the scene, recorded statements and the body was later conveyed to city mortuary for postmortem.”
According to some witness accounts, it is alleged the boyfriend found the deceased with another man hence the shooting.
![Shock as IHK nurse chopped to death by husband after bitter row ...]()
“Efforts are on to have the suspect apprehended,” he added.
Relatedly, the police in Kitezi are hunting for Simon Samanya, a teacher by profession for allegedly hacking his wife, Viola Kakai, a nurse, with International Hospital, Kampala, to death.
The incident happened Sunday morning in Kitezi.
It is alleged that the couple had a long standing domestic problem which according to police, local authorities had to intervene.
“Our offices recently registered this matter. However, it was already before court.” He added, “As regards her death, statements from the neighbors have been recorded and body of the deceased person was conveyed to city mortuary Mulago for postmortem.”
“Both murder incidents are being investigated,” Owoyesigyire said.
This news site understands, Kakai was killed by her insecure hubby after a male ‘colleague’ dropped her off, at home, from work.
IHK MOURNS
Kakai’s employer, IHK is mourning. In a statement, the medical facility said, “It is with profound sadness that the International Hospital Kampala family announce the loss of our staff, colleague and friend, Violet Kakai. Violet worked with International Hospital Kampala for over 10 years as our Auxiliary Nurse till her untimely passing the night of Saturday August 1st 2020.”
According to IHK; Kakai was kind, humble and dedicated to her work.
Kampala Metropolitan Police (KMP) are investigating two incidents of murder that were as a result of domestic violence.
The first incident happened Sunday in Kigoma village, Bujuuko.
It is alleged that on August 2, 2020, Sarah Namuwonge, 24, a businesswoman renting at mama Nagawa’s house was shot by her boyfriend, a private security guard, killing her instantly.
The suspect, currently on the run, has only been identified as Byaruhanga.
KMP Deputy Spokesman, Luke Owoyesigyire confirmed the incident, saying, “Our officers visited the scene, recorded statements and the body was later conveyed to city mortuary for postmortem.”
According to some witness accounts, it is alleged the boyfriend found the deceased with another man hence the shooting.
“Efforts are on to have the suspect apprehended,” he added.
Relatedly, the police in Kitezi are hunting for Simon Samanya, a teacher by profession for allegedly hacking his wife, Viola Kakai, a nurse, with International Hospital, Kampala, to death.
The incident happened Sunday morning in Kitezi.
It is alleged that the couple had a long standing domestic problem which according to police, local authorities had to intervene.
“Our offices recently registered this matter. However, it was already before court.” He added, “As regards her death, statements from the neighbors have been recorded and body of the deceased person was conveyed to city mortuary Mulago for postmortem.”
“Both murder incidents are being investigated,” Owoyesigyire said.
This news site understands, Kakai was killed by her insecure hubby after a male ‘colleague’ dropped her off, at home, from work.
IHK MOURNS
Kakai’s employer, IHK is mourning. In a statement, the medical facility said, “It is with profound sadness that the International Hospital Kampala family announce the loss of our staff, colleague and friend, Violet Kakai. Violet worked with International Hospital Kampala for over 10 years as our Auxiliary Nurse till her untimely passing the night of Saturday August 1st 2020.”
According to IHK; Kakai was kind, humble and dedicated to her work.
Suspect. Simon Shimanya (centre) at Isingiro Central Police Station on August 13, 2020. PHOTO | FELIX AINEBYOONA
Suspected killer of IHK nurse arrested in Isingiro
Thursday August 13 2020
Police in Rwizi Region have arrested the suspected killer of IHK nurse, from his hideout in Isingiro District.![Husband Murders IHK Medical Staff Over Sex – Thecapitaltimes]()
“Territorial police of Rwizi region have today (Thursday) arrested the key suspect in the murder of IHK nurse, Violet Kakai, a resident of Kasangati in Wakiso District who was hacked to death by her husband,” Mr Samson Kasasira, the Rwizi Regional Police Spokesperson, said.
Police have been searching for the suspected killer Simon Shimanya who has been in hiding ever since the death of Kakai.
Mr Kasasira said the suspect, a teacher by profession, was arrested and transported to Kampala for further management of the case.
“Shimanya Simon, 40, has been arrested from Isingiro District where he has been hiding and has been taken to Kampala for prosecution,” Mr Kasasira said
The late Violet Kakai, 32, who worked with IHK as a nurse for 10 years was hacked to death in the night of last Saturday August 1, after having a domestic quarrel with her husband.
The deceased’s body has been taken to Masaka regional referral hospital mortuary for postmortem.
Boda boda rider commits suicide inside Masaka police station
The death of Walugembe prompted his colleagues to storm Masaka police station protesting what they called persistent persecution by security authorities. Hussein Ssenabulya, the chairperson Masaka Boda Boda Rider Association, says they are saddened by their colleague's actions, which he blames on police harassment.
![Boda boda rider sets himself on fire and dies at Masaka police ...]()
Ssenabulya says that they want police to prosecute the police officer that was handling their colleagues’ file because he is fond of extorting money from people.
Enock Ambaine, the Southern Region police commander, says that he has instructed the Professional Standards Unit to open a general inquiry file to investigate the matter if there was a case on unprofessionalism on the side of the police.
Ssenabulya says that they want police to prosecute the police officer that was handling their colleagues’ file because he is fond of extorting money from people.
Enock Ambaine, the Southern Region police commander, says that he has instructed the Professional Standards Unit to open a general inquiry file to investigate the matter if there was a case on unprofessionalism on the side of the police.
Ambaine adds they are also going to investigate allegations that the officer who was handling Walugembe's matter had asked for Shs 100,000 because the receipts that were cleared to be given to cyclists operating during curfew hours is Shs 40,000.
The deceased’s body has been taken to Masaka regional referral hospital mortuary for postmortem.