News

By Godwin Abedican Arua Following the arrest of Siraji Sabir aged 27, an Alur by tribe, who claims to be a resident of Kawanda in Kampala, who has been masquerading as the chief executive officer of Al- Rahman Islamic primary and secondary school a mixed day and boarding school purportedly located in Bombo by the police in Arua city, there have been concerns raised over how the security operatives especially the police have overseen him being ...

By Sunday Amandi. Parents are called upon to maintain the hygiene of their children to prevent bacterial infections, as cases of these infections are increasing among the children.According to medical experts, bacterial infections in children are becoming more common than the cases of malaria, but parents instead treat their children of malaria when they are having bacterial infections. Scholar Ajibaru,a clinical officer at Ediofe health center...

Yikii Kaleb Arua Sunflower Farmers in Yumbe District have reaped big profits from better negotiations for their produce prices. The Sun flower Farmers were put into groups and carried out collective bulking and Storage where, these Negotiations made farmers to sell their Produce at a fair price to Comboni brothers in Adjumani, which offered to buy Sunflower seeds from the farmers at a unit price of 1,500 Shillings per Kilogram. Asiku Yassin Adr...

By Sunday Amandi Arua Vegetable farmers in West Nile are called upon to seek for the rightful procedures before they can apply agro-chemicals on their vegetables, as excessive application of these chemicals can be harmful to human health. According to David Edaku, the Northern Uganda Resilience Initiative (NURI) climate smart agriculture coordinator, most farmers use these chemicals on their vegetables without following the correct procedure o...

Robert Ojok Gulu Gulu city authorities have requested church of Uganda to develop available church land that has for long been hideouts of criminal. The piece of land measuring to about 2-square kilometers located in mican sub word, bardege-layibi division is partly being used by lay readers and priests. The mayor of Bardege-Layibi city division Patrick Oola Lumumba who was among thousands of Christians gathered during the pastoral visits of A...

Robert Ojok Gulu A family in Omoro district has offered to accommodate the archbishop of church of Uganda during his pastoral visit in the diocese starting this weekend. The family whose name is with held accepted to accommodate the archbishop in their home during his visit in Archdeaconry of Omoro. According to Diocesan communications officer Rev. Canan Wily Akena, they welcome the generosity but it will be the archbishop to approve the propo...

By Godwin Abedican Arua The ministry of water and environment has launched a 38,000 USD project towards the re-demarcation of River Enyau buffer zone in Arua district and Arua city. The project named “Reducing climate change vulnerability of local communities to climate change through Ecosystems based adaptation of wetlands and forest systems” is being funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and the United Nations Environmen...

By Godwin Abedican Arua Police in Arua district have commenced with investigations in to a suspected death by suicide of a driver of Maracha District Local Government. The deceased identified as Adiba John, aged 30 resident of Ajono-yivu village, Eruba parish, Vurra sub county Arua district, was found handing lifeless on a rope tied to a mango tree on the family compound early morning around 7:00Am by one of his bothers on 18th January 2023. ...

By Robert Ojok Mone Orom East is currently faced with climatic changes which are a result of environmental degradation majorly caused by human activities like farming, logging, and charcoal burning. The coming in of the Orom cross graphite mine estimated to cover 520km-square with 14 years of extraction of the minerals may increase the vulnerability of the area to soil erosion, deforestation, and loss of vegetation cover. The gras...

By Sabir Musa Arua Regional Referral Hospital administration has renewed effort in reducing cases of disabilities resulting from cataract, a cloudy area in the lens of eye that affects light focus. Statistics obtained from the hospital indicates that, 13 cases of Cataract have so far been registered at the facility since start of this year and an estimate of 30 to 60 cases are registered monthly. The Hospital Director, Alex Andema confidently ...

By Sabir Musa As different stakeholders continue generating ideas to address the high cases of child marriage and teenage pregnancy in West Nile, Arua City Education officer, Raymond Ombere notes that introducing accelerated Education programs can be a better option “to reduce the problem”. These vices according to stakeholders are result of poor parenting, weak justice system, cultural practices and poverty. Many of the girls affec...

By Dramadri Federick Arua 6000 land application files of residents from Ayivu division under Arua city are lying idle without approval in Arua district lands office due to unclear direction from ministry of local government. These files were entirely drawn between 2015 and 2020 from Ayivu County which was by then operating under Arua district before the elevation of Arua municipality into city. Benard Atiku Arua city land board chairperson say...

By Godwin Abedican Arua City Following an uproar on social media about how the distribution and allocations of the Monies realized from the gate collections and ticket sales for the first leg of the Federation of Uganda Football Association (FUFA) Drum tournament between West Nile province and Lango province played at the AbaBet green light stadium Onduparaka in Arua city, on Saturday 7the January 2023, officials from West Nile region have come...

Arua By Sabir Musa At 7pm, bright lights installed at different locations inside the newly constructed 2Ambe Arena in Arua City were switched on, giving a clear sign for an ongoing game that started at 6pm to continue without any interruption. Established by 2ambe Company Limited, it is the first ever playground with artificial turf and strong lights to allow games at night. The company’s Managing Director, Osman Thuambe in an interview ...

By Abedican Godwin Arua West Nile students association of Kampala international university western campus medical union are piloting a regional health camp for West Nile starting with Terego district. The camp organized by the students in partnership with the district woman Member of Parliament Hon. Rose Obiga will focus on addressing reproductive health challenges and needs across the district targeting women in the reproductive age between 15...

By Godwin Abedican Arua Palm corps international together with other partner organisations like Welt Hunger Hilfe, Norwegian Refugee Council and Action Against Hunger, under the Building Self-reliance in Northern Uganda project in the refugee settlements in West Nile in a bid to improve on the earnings among the farmers in the settlements and host communities, have come in to save the farmers from exploitation by agents who always set very low ...

By Sabir Musa  Only twenty percent of pupils in Yumbe District complete their Primary Education. The district education department reports that out of 28,302 learners who joined primary one class about seven years ago, only 6,634 were able to sit for 2022 Primary Leaving Examination (PLE), showing over 80% dropout rate. 2,593 of the PLE candidates were girls while 4,041 were boys. Rasul Luriga, Yumbe District Education Officer, attributes...

By Sabir Musa Arua City leaders have issued strong warning to health workers following several cases of medical equipment and drug theft and negligence of duty. This comes just days after a Midwife at Adumi Health Centre 3 was arrested on allegation of stealing drugs and missing of a medical equipment. Cornelius Jobile, Deputy City Clerk, confirms that several health workers are set to face the Reward and Sanctions Committee to answer cases aga...

By Sunday Amandi Pride Micro finance has skilled several young people in Arua city. The program is funded by pride micro finance with support from European investments bank, and implemented by Uganda small scale industries Association. According to Jackson Kizza Sebuliba, a training coordinator, financial literacy is key for the business people to succeed in every business that they engage in. He said the training was aiming at empowering the y...

By BBC Sudan’s pro-democracy coalition Forces of Freedom and Change has signed an initial agreement with the military to restore civilian rule after last year’s coup. The deal allows for a two-year civilian-led transition towards elections. But protests challenging the agreement have already begun in the capital, Khartoum, and more are expected across the country, as people call for those who led the coup to be held accountable. Sud...

By Abedican Godwin Arua Weak enforcement of policies by the government has been cited as one of the major challenges in the fight against teenage pregnancy and early marriage in the region of west Nile. During a regional girls’ summit held in Arua city, the stake holders voiced concerns over government’s failure to strengthen the policies. The summit, on the theme “children need a society free from child marriage and teenage p...

By Godwin Abedican Arua Regional Referral Hospital has finally received the long awaited Computerized Tomography (CT) scan machine. A computerized Tomography (CT) scan machine is a machine that combines a series of X-ray images taken from different angles around the human body and uses computer processing to create cross-sectional images (slices) of the bones, blood vessels and soft tissues inside your body providing more-detailed information th...

By Sabir Musa Arua District Local Government is in plan to register and title all the lands offered by community for construction of schools and health centres among other government established institutions. The district leaders confirms that many of these institutions constructed on lands offered by community are facing challenges of land-ownership hence affecting service delivery. Milly Nakimuli, acting Arua District Planner, says such lands...

By Ronald Orachwun For someone who has been in West Nile region lately, chances are high that you could have come across a number of stories how several families are struggling to feed themselves for the past few months amidst high or increasing prices of some essential commodities and reduced agricultural productivity. From the start of the year, the country witnessed a sharp increase in prices of everyday products including; cooking oil, laund...

By Mike Rwothomio Police in Zombo district have mounted a search for the body of a boy who drowned in River Nyagak in Cula muk village, Zingili Ward Paidha town council Zombo district. Information about the deceased remains scanty, but the available information shows that he was a resident of Ngia village in Nyapea Sub County in the same district. It is alleged that the minor was pushed in the middle of the river by a friend with whom he had go...

By Sabir Musa The education department of Arua District Local Government has planned to spend more than nine billion shillings in the next Financial Year 2023/2024 to implement projects in different government schools and pay teachers’ salaries. According to the proposed budget, this department will need Shs. 9,382,374 financed under wages and non-wages as the main sources. David Dramadri, Arua District’s Inspector of Schools, expla...

A move by a private school's administration to bring in new teachers to replace those who have not been unpaid for two months has made matters worse at St. Leo Primary and Nursery school in Arua City. Teaching and learning activities at the school on 14th November 2022 paralyzed after the group of disgruntled teachers whose salaries hadn't been paid for a while tried to block the new teachers from teaching. According to the other teacher...

By Kei Emmanuel Duku An unpaved muddy road, full of holes, leads from Adjumani town to Zoka Natural Forest located in Itirikwa Sub County. The road, which crosses the forest, also leads up to Apaa Land, a disputed area between Adjumani and Amuru District. From this road, you can see the giant trees like the aeschynomene, titanophylla and combretum (bush willow) trees, umbrella shaped shrubs of Zoka Forest. In the forest, many people live off a...

By Sunday Amandi The 2022 Primary Leaving Examinations were concluded as planned on Wednesday 9th of November 2022 in the schools in Arua city without cases of examination malpractice and few cases of sicknesses. In some schools number of candidates who registered for the National examinations missed due to several reasons, but majority of the candidates did the papers as planned. At Awindiri primary school sitting center where 253 candidates r...

Parliament has reconsidered the Public Health Bill 2021 which was returned by President Yoweri Museveni.  While presenting the report of the Committee of Health on reconsideration of the Bill, Doctor Charles Ayume, the Chairperson said that they agreed with the President’s concern on the use of the word vaccination and not immunization. Doctor Ayume explained that the word immunization and vaccination are used interchangeably and that ...

By Godwin Abedican Nyarilo Primary School, a Muslim founded school in Koboko district, emerged the best school in the Madi and West Nile Diocese Christian Religious Education (CRE) examinations. The examinations sat yearly by the Primary Seven candidates in the schools under the diocese had the results released on Friday 14th October 2022 by Rev. Canon. Amos Afayoa, the Chairperson Madi and West Nile Diocese Examinations Board Primary Department...

The son President Yoweri Museveni has stoked the speculation that he is in line to succeed his father. Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba has tweeted that he will repay his great mother by becoming president. ”The only way I can re-pay my great mother is by being President of Uganda! And I shall definitely do it”. His father Yoweri Museveni has been in power since 1986 and there are frequent rumours that Gen Kainerugaba is being groomed to follo...

John Dibaba Norwegian Refugee Council has asked stakeholders in West Nile to collaborate and cooperate in the response to urban refugee challenges. In a stakeholder consultation in Arua city, NRC urged the different partners to participate in the review of the 2006 Refugee and the drafting of the refugee policy. Juliet Aryoma, West Nile acting NRC Area Manager, says that there is need to plan for the urban refugees and this may be possible if th...

By Godwin Abedican Zombo Nyang primary school in Zombo district struggling with inadequate facilities. The school, a government aided primary school established in the early 1980’s has since remained at primary 4 class. Initially established as a primary 6 level school, the school had to drop to primary four in 1990, following the collapse of some of the classroom blocks which were put up at the inception of the school in the 1980s. Pasc...

The leaders in West Nile region have blamed blood shortage on the attitudes of the people in the region.  Although the region has two different functional blood banks, the banks have all limited number of units of blood to support the 12 districts in the region. Isaac Todoko, the secretary of social services koboko district, has blamed the low level of blood collection on poor mobilization of local community and their leaders on issues of bl...

The Inspector General of Police Martin Ochola has responded to President Yoweri Museveni’s condemnation of roadblocks delaying movement of goods by directing police commanders to ensure no checkpoints are amounted on any road across the country. Museveni’s concern over roadblocks frustrating faster movement of goods and causing unnecessary traffic congestion was revealed three days ago by the Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja. In respon...

By Godwin Abedican Arua The councilors of Okokoro town council in Maracha district say they want to leave their offices citing lack of cooperation from the district top security officers. This development comes as result of a disco that was staged in the area whereas there was a resolution during a security meeting organized on the 18th of September called by the area Member of Parliament. Following the staging of a disco on the night of Satu...

President Yoweri Museveni has dropped his son Muhoozi Kainerugaba as the Commander of Land Forces. He also promoted him to General, the highest rank in the UPDF. Muhoozi will be replaced by Major General Kayanja Muhanga, the current commander of Operation Shujja. The changes come moments after a series of tweets in which Kainerugaba announced on twitter that he was on a mission to destroy colonial borders and capture Nairobi within two weeks. Th...

By Simon Onziga The Business community in Obongi town council in Obongi district blames the security operatives over the persistent robbery of their merchandise. Over 12 shops in Obongi town were broken into by thugs on the night of Monday 26th September 2022. Agele Rashul, a business operator who lost over seven million shillings stock to the robbers expected the police to have intervened. Agele said he had old stock of clothing amounting to f...

Kenya's new President William Ruto has instructed the finance ministry to cut 300 billion shillings two point five billion US dollar from annual government spending this year, to bring the country back to sanity. Ruto also said he aimed to bring the recurrent expenditure down further next year by an undisclosed amount, in a bid to achieve a recurrent budget surplus by the third year. Recurrent expenditure usually includes civil servant salar...

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has assured the Catholic Church of government's support towards the beatification ceremony of Fr Dr. Giuseppe Ambrosoli, a Roman Catholic priest under the Comboni Missionaries Society, who died 35 years ago. The President made the assurance on Wednesday during a meeting with a delegation from Gulu Archdiocese led by Archbishop John Baptist Odama at State House, Entebbe who came to brief him about the upcoming ...

Six health workers at Mubende Regional Referral Hospital have tested positive for Ebola Virus Disease. According to Herbert Luswata, the General Secretary of the Uganda Medical Association, three are medical workers, two are interns and one medical student. The samples of the health workers were sent to the Uganda Virus Research Institute which confirmed the Ebola virus. Dr Alex Adaku, the Director of Fort Portal Regional Referral Hospital says ...

John Dibaba Religious, Cultural, and Community Based Organizations have joined forces in the fight against climate change and its effects in northern Uganda. The group has joined the “Trees are not our commodity” campaign spearheaded by Action for Child Social and Economic Transformation (ACSET), an NGO to mitigate climate change. The campaign, which will run for 12 months aims to make climate change a locally rooted conv...

By Ronald Orachwun Several residents in parts of Moyo district have shunned village meetings which have been called to address issues in the villages. Local Council One is the lowest administrative unit of government, responsible for the village. In case of political, economic or social issues at a local level, it is relayed up through the various levels until it reaches a certain suitable official in government with sufficient authority or powe...

By Tasia Doreen A section of leaders in Moyo district have rejected the plan by government to phase out Erepi Primary Teachers' College PTC. Erepi is among the among the 23 PTCs, which are on the verge of being closed indefinitely as the government officially phases out Grade III and Grade V teaching qualifications in favour of a bachelor’s degree in Education. There are 46 PTCs in Uganda, 23 of which are core institutions that run bot...

By Ronald Orachwun. For the past five to ten years, a number of warehouses and apartments housing businesses sprang up in West Nile Sub region stretching from Adjumani, Moyo, Yumbe, Arua, Nebbi, Pakwach and Zombo districts. From a first class Super market and a branch of Leosim Hotel that have all been established along the busy Pakwach-Nebbi highway, Agu natural mineral water processing plant in Zombo district to a plant that processes beef, th...

By Rosemary Anena Even after he identified himself as a journalist, the blows and kicks continued to rain down on Julius Ocungi. It had all started with a simple phone call, a source tipping him off about a police operation to enforce Covid-19 guidelines in Kitgum town. Without a second thought, Ocungi who at the time was the East Acholi bureau chief for Uganda Radio Network URN, grabbed his camera and rushed out to investigate the reports. Howe...

John Dibaba The design of the proposed Arua City Monument that is under construction at the main roundabout has sparked uproar among residents. The monument is being constructed by the Development Infrastructure (DI), under a Public Private Partnership (PPP) between the then Arua Municipal Council and now Arua city council. According to the design, the monument is expected to be 49.5 meters high and will comprise three giant advertisin...

John Dibaba Authorities in Gulu city have raised red flag over the increasing cases of motor-accidents. Many have been attributed to reckless use of the road. But Road users say inappropriate road designs and narrow roads are to be blamed for the numerous accidents recorded yearly. Moses Ojok, a boda-boda rider, believes that having humps on the ways would help avoid the daily accident. John Bosco Oryem, a business man, observes that there is no...

Three Allied Democratic Front rebel fighters have been killed in a joint military operation by the armies of Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. A military statement says the three were found in Ntoroko-Mboga in Ituri Province about 14 kilometers South-east of Mboga town. The group has been blamed for thousands of deaths in the provinces of North Kivu and Ituri, and for bomb attacks last year in Uganda. Under the command of Lieuten...

By Godwin Abedican The state Minister for Primary Education Hon. Dr. Joyce Moriku Kaduccu, has encouraged the refugee children to remain focused on education much as they have challenges that they are facing as refugees. She was speaking during the launch of the call to action of the Three Transformations for education in emergency at Yoro base camp on Tuesday 13th September 2022, as the guest of honor. According to the minister, many children ...

The Deputy Inspector General of Government Anne Twinomugisha Muhairwe has directed the Chief Administrative Office for Maracha district to interdict six staff over allegations of abuse of office and causing financial loss to the government. The officials are Stephen Candia, the Chief Finance Officer, Paul Abriribale, the Internal Auditor, Timothy Ezati, the acting district engineer, Flavia Osoa, District Education Officer, William Oneti, the seni...

The Queen of England, Elizabeth II, has died. Buckingham Palace announced her death on Thursday 08th September 2022, stating that the Queen died peacefully at Balmoral Castle, her Scottish estate, where she had spent much of the summer. Members of the royal family had gathered at Balmoral after the Queen's doctors became concerned about her health earlier in the day. All the Queen's children together with grandchildren; William, now heir ...

Landslides triggered by heavy rains on 6th September 2022 have killed at least 15 people mostly women and children in Kasese district. Some homes were also washed away by flood waters that tore through the area located on the foothills of the Rwenzori Mountains. Uganda Red Cross says several people were injured while hundreds displaced. A yet to be ascertained number of people are feared missing. Kasese District chairman Eliphazi Muhindi says th...

William Ruto has assured his opponents that they should have nothing to fear under his government, but warned that every Kenyan will henceforth account for what they do or say. After confirmation as president-elect by court on the 5th September 2022, Ruto says he would extend a hand of peace to his political opponents, but warned that during his tenure, any Kenyan who breaks the law in any way will be brought to book. Speaking to the media after...

By our Reporters Speaker of Parliament, Anita Among has directed all committee chairpersons to submit attendance lists of MPs to her office, upon which warning letters are to be issued to culprits of absenteeism. The Speaker’s communication follows an earlier warning this month by her Deputy, Thomas Tayebwa to MPs and Ministers who do not attend plenary sittings. Reacting to the communication by the House presiding officers, Solomon Silwan...

By Sabir Musa People have continued to encroach on River Enyau despite government protection. Enyau Car Washing Association was ordered to vacate the river, but this has not taken place. National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) agreed to setup an environment friendly project which till date August 2022 is still not complete. The Chairperson for this association, Francis Alionzi explains that, failure to complete construction of the site ...

By John Dibaba There is heightened security at the country home of the late former Security Minister General Elly Tumwine in Kazo district ahead of his burial tomorrow. Security has set up four checkpoints from the main road to the deceased’s home.  At least 2 police officers backed by between three and five soldiers are manning each checkpoint. The officers are searching vehicles and people accessing the deceased's farm.&nbs...

By John Dibaba President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has finally confirmed the death of former Security Minister General Elly Tumwine. In a brief statement, Museveni said that Tumwiine succumbed to lung cancer at around the morning of 25 August 2022 in Nairobi, Kenya.  President Museveni describes the late Tumwine who died at the age of 68 as a dedicated and hard-working cadre who joined FRONASA with 9000 others in 1979, went to Mondu...

By: Godwin Abedican The Ministry of Tourism has called upon the public to enhance their knowledge and promote the market for the consumption of locally made art materials. During the opening of a two days Handicraft and Souvenir Development project expo exhibitions for West Nile region in Arua city at Desert breeze hotel, organized by The Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities, the stake holders were encouraged to own the crafts industry....

By Ojok Robert Mone, The local organizing committee seeks for 923-million shillings to finance activities towards beatification of Ambrosoli in November. The committee plans to realize this fund within 3-months period as planned event is slated for 20th November, 2022. The chairperson of finance committee Rev. Fr. David Okello Opiro reveals to the central organizing committee a lot is still needed to make the event colorful. According to Fr. Op...

By John Dibaba. Four suspects are in police custody in connection to the death of 12 people after taking City 5, a local Pineapple Flavored potent gin packaged in Arua city. Several other people are hospitalized for suspected poisoning after taking the same gin. Police released on bond the fourth suspect, Godfrey Norman who owns a Kiosk in Madi Okollo district from where one of those who died drank the waragi. Josephine Angucia, West ...

By Ronald Orachwun Move around town and take a random sample on who can or cannot sing even one stanza of the song, 'Oh Uganda!' the result will be shocking. This is close to 60 years after the song was gazetted as the National Anthem. The lyrics of the Anthem commit the future of the new nation in God’s hands, rallying citizens to stand for Unity, freedom, Liberty and togetherness. The second stanza also talks about Uganda's L...

By Kei Emmanuel Duku. Policy makers in Uganda have urged ministry of Health and Finance to expeditiously allocate funds to serve more than 4,000 citizens suffering from Nodding disease syndrome in Achoil and Lango Sub Regions. Nodding disease was first reported in Kitgum District in 1998, before spreading to the neighboring areas in late 2000’s.   While tabling motion on the floor of parliament last week, Lilian Aber, Woman Member of ...

By Ronald Orachwun Government has been urged to improve the design of and create more awareness around livelihoods and financing initiatives after a report discovered that less than half of Ugandan youth own businesses. This is despite the available government initiatives to alleviate poverty among the Ugandan youth. These findings are based on data from a mobile phone survey dubbed Sauti za Wananchi where 1,597 young people aged 18 to 34 and 2,...

By Joseph Abiria Group of urban cash beneficiaries took to the streets in Arua City to protest over what they termed as unfairness in line to start work. The protesters accused the leadership of Arua Central Division for letting them down to start work after having entered into an agreement with international labour organization to pilot various projects in each of the 50 cells in Arua Central Division. However the 3 cells of kebir, kirabu and ...

By John Dibaba Kenya on 9th August 2022 voted to determine the fifth president of Kenya and another 2 thousand leaders for various political offices. As many hope the polls end peacefully, they also pray for a decisive victory, which will not only avoid extra expenditure on a rerun but also end the tension and anxiety as soon as possible.  A look at the office bearers scheduled for election in Kenya shows that the difficult campaign an...

By Abedican Godwin Vendors in the different markets within Arua city are faulting the city authorities over poor waste and garbage management.  According to the traders, it has become a habit by the central division authorities and the city council to allow garbage pile at the different collection points for long before collecting which the traders say endangers their lives. This complaint comes after close to a week in which there have bee...

By Sabir Musa Construction of Go-Down road in the central business area of Arua City by China Railway Seventh Group, the company contracted to implement the project is a relief to road users in Arua City who have endured poor condition of this road for years. “I am very happy that the road work is ongoing”, says a Denis Orionzi, a boda-boda rider in the City. With funding of 13 billion shillings from World Bank, the city is now cons...

By John Dibaba The Bishop Emeritus of Nebbi Catholic Diocese, Right Reverend Martin Luluga has died at the age of 89. At the time of his retirement, Luluga was still actively involved in church activities though his walking was supported by a walking stick. Late Luluga replaced the first Catholic Bishop of Nebbi diocese, Archbishop John Baptist Odama. He has been instrumental in completion of the multi-million Nebbi Cathedral that took deca...

By Sunday Amandi Arua Schools in Arua city are set for second term closure. On the 27th July 2022, Newsroom noted that several of the schools are already giving learners end of term examinations while others are still preparing them with revision.The second term was supposed to last for 14 weeks, but it was interrupted by the teachers’ industrial action over salary. Joel Dralumani, the deputy Head teacher in charge of academics in St Kiz...

By Abedican Godwin Arua The police regional Child and Family Protection Unit office for West Nile region based in Arua city continues to register increasing cases of children being neglected. Reports from the office indicate that the trend is as a result of current rise in prices of commodities and Men having multiple sexual partners as well as failing to take up their responsibilities of caring for the children. According to Jimmy Anguyo, the r...

By John Dibaba Despite the global alert on reducing risks of spreading Ebola from wildlife to human by WHO of reducing contacts with Wildlife (monkeys, Apes and forest antelopes), the consumption of monkeys is far from over among the Congolese living in Arua. This can be seen from the story of Zorizete Ngamina, a 60 year old Congolese national living in Awindiri, Arua city. To Ngamina, monkey Carcasses is a delicacy despite the threat of spreadi...

By Godwin Abedican Arua The inspectorate of Government on Monday 25th July 2022, awarded members of Koboko Civil Society Network (KOSINET) for championing the fight against corruption and monitoring of government projects in the district. The members from ludara, Abuku, Kuluba, Midia, Lobule, Dranya, South division, North division and West division were given certificates, work aprons and others for the services they have offered on behalf of th...

By John Dibaba Kacheri is the most hit by Karamoja hunger. Statistics from Kotido district local government shows that Kacheri Sub County in Kotido district recorded 336 deaths, followed by Nakapelimoru with 88 deaths. In an interview with Daily Monitor, Paul Lote, Kotido district chairman, said their records shows that 626 people have died due to starvation. “The most affected people are the elderly, HIV clients and Tuberculosis patients,&...

By Robert Ojok A section of residents of Purongo town council in Nwoya district are demanding for free tour in Murchison falls. The affected community claims that such initiative shall make them discover the benefits of conservation and reduce of wildlife crime like trafficking and poaching. The former district chairperson of Nwoya Patrick Okello Oryema is worried of continued gaps between the local community and conservation Authority. Accordin...

By Godwin Abedican Arua, The residents of Kenya ward in Arua Central Division Arua city, around a place commonly known as 73rd parliament, woke up to a shocking scene when they found a dead body of a sixteen years old boy, Sharif Muhammad Alone a primary 5 pupil of Arua Parents primary school dumped between Kirabu and Enyau cells on Monday 18th July 2022. Sharif was found lying lifeless a few meters from home in the morning after unknown assaila...

By Godwin Abedican Arua The 13th edition of the annual Makerere University Business School (MUBS) hospitality day was hosted by Arua city. The day held annually by the school especially the main campus is a part of the coursework test that the learners doing Leisure and hospitality at the institution undertake yearly and contributes to their marks as they wind up their course. This event which is always held in the last semester of the third yea...

By: Godwin Abedican, Arua, Vendors along Iddi Amin road, market lane, Dukka road, Lemerijua road and Kasaija lane, all busy streets in Arua city have vowed never to accept the relocation plans, that the central division authority in Arua city, through the office of the city central division town clerk, Wanje Isaac has imposed on them. According to the town clerk, the council decided that all street vendors need to vacate the streets and relocate...

By: Godwin Abedican Arua The government of Uganda through the Ministry of Education and Sports is funding the construction of two classroom blocks at St. Aloysius collage Nyapea, in Zombo District. The project meant to restructure part of the school is funded by World bank and is expected to cost a total of 308 million Ugandan shillings.  This project comes as one rare opportunity for the once powerful government school in the region of Wes...

By Simon Onziga Arua city council proposes to name the road from Arua Hill through Muni University to Ewuata after late Prof. Christine Dranzua in her remembrance. During the special council sitting to pay tribute to the fallen educationist on Monday 04th   July 2022, the City Council Speaker Yako Teddy Gloria proposed to name the road after Prof. Dranzua for her enormous support towards establishment of the University The speaker says the...

By Robert Ojok Four athletes from Gulu District and the city are expected to obtain passport in order to take part in the forthcoming Special Olympics in Germany next year 2023. The 4-athletes shall form part of the team selected from various schools across the country that took place from St. Joseph’s college Layibi in Gulu city. The national director Special Olympics Uganda Genevieve Bamwidhukire says her office shall cater for visa and ...

By Abedcan Godwin The deceased Muni University Vice-Chancellor, Professor Christine Dranzoa has been described as an icon of girl child education in the sub-region. Dranzoa, died on Tuesday28th June 2022 at Mulago National Referral Hospital in Kampala where she had been admitted for an unknown illness. Her death was announced through the university's official Twitter account. Alice Akello, Arua City Resident Commissioner says the death of D...

By: Abedican Godwin Arua The Kony war victims in their association Kony War Victims Association from West Nile on Monday June 20th 2022, held a demonstration declaring a hunger strike until they are compensated for the losses they incurred during the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) insurgency which took place in the Northern parts of the country in the 1990s and early 2000s. The rebel movement that used to among some of their activities wayl...

By Robert Ojok Despite tourism being the second largest foreign exchange earner in Uganda, it is threatened by many challenges including hunting and human wildlife conflicts. Over one million tourists visit Uganda every year, attracted by its many national parks boasting of a rich array of wildlife, bringing with them over 5.6 trillion Uganda shillings (US $ 1.6 billion), making tourism the second largest foreign exchange earner in the country. ...

By URN Business has slowed down around Bunagana Border on the Ugandan side in Kisoro District due to fighting between M23 rebels and Congolese government soldiers. The business community say the clashes have taken a huge toll on their businesses.   On Monday, M23 rebels took control of the Bunagana border in Rutshuru territory, North Kivu province, after Congolese forces, the Democratic Republic of Congo fled to Uganda.   Hu...

By Dibaba URN/Dibaba Teachers under the Uganda National Teachers Union UNATU have gone on strike. The teachers declared a nationwide strike at all levels demanding equality and harmonization of the salary enhancement among teachers of different subjects. The strike follows the government's decision to increase the salaries of science teachers up to 4 million shillings and disregard the art teachers. At many primary and secondary school...

By: Kei Emmanuel Duku.   Members of Parliament have asked the minister of Finance Matai Kasaija to operationalize Tree planting Funds in the next financial year. This, according to the MPs will aid in the planting of trees both at national and local level. In the past fifteen years, Uganda has lost her forest cover of approximately 900,000 hectors representing 12% annually, equivalent to 413 Metric tons of Carbon emission. While adopt...

By Joseph Abiria The Mp of Aringa North Constituency, Godfrey Onzima has responded to his rating by parliament for the one year. Hon. Onzima of Aringa North, Jessica Ababiku, the woman mp of Adjumani and Mario Kania, the Mp of Terego East were rated among the best MPs from West Nile Sub region in terms of their contribution in plenary. Hon. Onzima, attributes his performance to being able to have knowledge of the subject matter for discussion in...

By: Godwin Abedican Arua Uganda Export Promotion Board has encouraged farmers in Arua district to venture in to commercial agriculture to break the chain of subsistence farming. In an engagement with farmers in arua district on 30th May 2022, the farmers were advised to move from Small Scale Farming to Large Scale and Commercial Farming if their income levels are to improve. Speaking while opening an  engagement between Uganda Export Prom...

Arua By Joseph Abiria Reach a hand with support from the agakan foundation has embarked on plans of helping vulnerable teenage mothers who got pregnant at the height of the covid 19 pandemic. During a hand over of some assorted food items to the beneficiaries at oil headquarters, Khalifa Drajiru a 17 year old mother was excited to receive beans, maize flour, rice and maternal kits among others. She expressed gratitude for the positive response ...

By: Godwin Abedican Arua The leaders of Arua district on Tuesday may 10th 2022,  suspended ongoing construction works at the district police headquarters located at the borders of Alio, Amisi and Tivu villages in Arua district, citing shoddy work and failure by the contractor to hire the locals as laborers in the project. The project funded by Uganda Police headquarters in Kampala was meant to have at least 20 uniport houses constructed as...

By BBC A second Ebola patient has died in the Democratic Republic of Congo days after a fresh outbreak emerged in the city of Mbandaka. The World Health Organization said the second fatality was a female relative of the first case. Yesterday health authorities said more than 100 people had been identified as possible contacts, and a vaccine was expected to be rolled out this week. Congo has seen 13 previous Ebola outbreaks, including one that e...

By: Godwin Abedican Arua The Science teachers in Arua city on Monday 09th May 2022, joined their colleagues in a nationwide industrial action to lay down their tools following the governments delay to enhance their salaries. The teachers under their umbrella body Uganda Professional Teachers Union (UPSTU) have resolved unanimously not to enter class until the government responds to the promises made. This industrial action comes at a time and da...

By BBC A second Ebola patient has died in the Democratic Republic of Congo days after a fresh outbreak emerged in the city of Mbandaka. The World Health Organization said the second fatality was a female relative of the first case. Yesterday health authorities said more than 100 people had been identified as possible contacts, and a vaccine was expected to be rolled out this week. Congo has seen 13 previous Ebola outbreaks, including one that en...

By John Dibaba Kajo-Keji Health Training Institute has awarded more than 140 students with Diploma and Certificate honors. This is the second graduation held at the institute after relocating to Arua from the war-tone South Sudan after being attacked in the past by suspected militia. The Director of Professional Training in the Ministry of health South Sudan Rev. Dr. Janet Michael confirmed the graduates. “After graduating, we need your se...

By Musa Sabir The initial developers of Gaagaa Textile Market have dragged Arua City Council to court. They are demanding compensation for allegedly being denied to complete the 25-years period as per the MOU they had. In 1991, Arua City Council, by then at the municipal status opened for a private-partnership deal to develop the area that attracted people to apply and later permitted to construct lockups from 1993 which lasted for 2-years. An ...

By: Abedican Godwin   Uganda National Association of the Blind has donated brail materials inform of text books to support learners with visual impairment in Ediofe girls’ primary school and Mvara secondary school in arua city. The two schools are some of the few schools in West Nile region which have units of the blind. Apart from the text books, the learners with visual impairment at Ediofe Girls primary school were also given face m...

By: Godwin Abedican Arua The police in Arua city on Friday April 1st 2022, arrested a woman identified as Betty Adakuru, on allegations of deserting a 3 years old child to one Lekuru Christine, after having borrowed money worth three hundred thousand shillings from her on agreement that the later brings charcoal and fire wood from Rhino camp in Madi Okollo district for the former for sale within Arua city. While asking for the money, Betty alle...

By: Sunday Amandi Arua One of the longest serving police officers in Arua transferred. The Police Community Liaison Officer AIP Avubieng Micah has been transferred to Kiryadongo district. The Police Public Relations Officer for West Nile region, Josephine Angucia could not confirm the name of his replacement saying it was not confirmed to her office by the police leadership. During an interview with Radio Pacis, Avubieng said when he was brough...

By Sabir Musa A project worth more than 5o millions shillings under Development Response to Disaster Impacts Project (DRDIP) meant for briquette making at Nyangilia Primary School in Koboko Municipality has not started since the Financial Year 2019/20, creating suspicion among the set beneficiaries. According to Nesta Ondoru, a teacher at this school who is also a member to benefit from the project shares that, they have not been trained since t...

By Aroma Agnes   Some child mothers in Nwoya district have their hope restored after a CBO offered them second chance to go back to school. The teenage girls studying in Pader and Nwoya districts sponsored by TEKWORO Foundation are undergoing formal secondary education in Nwoya. Gloria Oroma, one of the child mothers from Gulu city says the time she got pregnant in her primary seven vacation her father forcefully told her to leave home. Acc...

By Joseph Abiria Communities living along Arua Hospital Lagoon are provoked by the continuous smell of sewage from the lagoon. According to Yasmin Night a resident of upper bibia cell, the lagoon has become a menace in the area. The lagoon has become a death trap in the area since its surroundings are not safe due to the fact that communities living in here are most likely to contract diseases because the community members even draw water from t...

By: Godwin Abdican Arua Over 50 teachers in Arua district on Monday 21st March 2022, stormed the regional Inspectorate of Government offices in arua over nonpayment of their salaries which they say have taken too long. The teachers who say they have been teaching from last year 2021 have complained of not being given proper explanations by the district leaders pointing out the office of the Chief Administrative Officer and the office of the Dist...

Radio Pacis Reporter Koboko Over 30 Million Shillings injected by the Government to Koboko Constituency Saloon Operators EMYOOGA Sacco group in Koboko District is idle in Centenary Rural Development account for more than three months since the money reached the association account. The Treasurer of the Sacco, Alex Metaaloro is pointing fingers towards his Chairperson Isaac Baiga for creating a distance from his executives and other members of ...

By: Godwin Abedican Arua A research by Aga Khan University has revealed that the poor education foundation East African countries is affecting the quality of education. The “foundation for learning” research outcome reveals that, governments in most east African countries pay little attention to the foundation of education while leaving the operation of pre-primary or childhood learning centers to be managed by private entities. A F...

By Sabir Musa Madi-Okollo District will this month (March) host first cultural gala. This is intended to promote peace between refugee and host communities through exhibiting products and performance of traditional dances. The event that is slated for 18th of March at the district headquarters will attract different cultures with the key message of building unity. Madi-Okollo District Tourism Officer, Zahara Night says the target is to ensure al...

By Musa Sabir The office of the prime minister has resolved to use the original map of greater Arua District to resolve the ongoing border dispute between the new districts of madi okollo and terego. This decision follows the refusal of the recent border reaffirmation by the leaders of Madi-Okollo district. This follows report submitted after the ministry officials conducted a reaffirmation exercise to establish the border between Uriama Sub Cou...

By Godwin Abedican Arua Students of muni university in Arua city have protested demanding the university administration to come out clearly to explain why their allowances are not paid. The students who are studying at the university under government sponsorship on merit say, they have always been deceived over their allowances. Eight weeks into the semester, the students say they are yet to receive their allowances. This is the money the studen...

By Kennedy Inyakuni Although Uganda as a country has relaxed its policy to allow refugees to live outside camps, the country also has 48 refugee settlements most of which are in areas that are experiencing the worst forms of environmental degradation. As such a section of environmental protection agencies, ministries and the non-governmental organizations have said the influx of refugees in the country is a key contributor to the environmental d...

By Kennedy Inyakuni The Minister of State for Environment, Ms. Beatrice Anywar Atim, has urged government to scatter refugees in various areas saying concentrating them in one place has led to environmental degradation. Ms. Anywar made the remarks while launching a new project dubbed ‘restoring and conserving degraded and fragile ecosystems for improved livelihoods among the refugees and host communities’ in Kampala yesterday. &...

By BBC Russian forces invaded Ukraine by land, air and sea confirming the worst fears of the West with the biggest attack by one state against another in Europe since World War Two. Russian missiles rained down on Ukrainian cities. Ukraine reported columns of troops pouring across its borders and landing by sea at the port. Explosions could be heard before dawn in the capital city.   Ukraine's President said Russian leader Vladimir Putin...

By Sabir Musa Office of the Prime Minister in West Nile says that there is still enough land to host more refugees, despite the huge influx from neighboring countries resulting from the ongoing conflicts. The Refugee Desk Officer in Office of the Prime Minister Solomon Osakan told Radio Pacis that, districts in the region continue to offer more lands to manage the influx of refugees. “In fact there’s a land we were offered in Madi Ok...

By Simon Onziga The NRM secretary General Richard Todwong has urged the youth to invest. Todwong says many times the youth rush to enjoy life before growth and end up in regrets at their old age. This was during the mindset change program which is in line with government program of Parish Development Module. Arua City Mayor Wadri Sam Nyakua appeals to the youth to embrace Vocational education. “The Government through the Japanese Governmen...

By Dramadri Federick Police has arrested radiology staffs attached to Arua Regional Referral Hospital over an allegation of theft of digital X-ray machine components which include HP Laptop Silver in color and a Samsung Galaxy tab phone. This comes after Hillary Onziga the in charge of T.B ward and X-ray machine at Arua Regional Referral Hospital on 07th/02/2022 reported a case of the equipment missing at the hospital store. “I got to know...

By Ojok Robert Mone Improved bilateral trade relations between South Sudan and Uganda has excited informal traders at Elegu border town in Amuru district. Last year, representatives of East African countries led by Henry Okello Oryem Minister of State for Foreign Affairs of Uganda met in Juba and agreed on major principles for safety of traders in South Sudan. Uganda and South Sudan also agreed to implement trade barrier protocols.   Gloria...

By Kennedy Inyakuni Local residents in Obongi district have applauded the district for hosting refugees, saying this kind gesture comes with numerous benefits despite the meager resource envelope to cater for the increasing demands of the refugees and host populations. According to the locals, access to improved services and development infrastructural facilities such as health, schools, safe and clean water among others have greatly improved i...

By Ojok Robert Mone Some inmates on remand at Gulu main prisons have petitioned government to speed up the process of trials. In a memorandum written and signed by the inmates; David Densy Oryema, Patrick Opiro, Patrick onen Acac and Charles Christopher openy to the archbishop of Gulu archdiocese John Baptist Odama, the inmates requested the archbishop to appeal for more high court judges for speedy trials at Northern Uganda regional circuit for...

By Ronald Orachwun Mustafa Ismail watched from his window in the wee hours of 6th March 2020 how a group of men armed with traditional weapons including machetes, bows, arrows and guns razed down a Uganda People’s Defense Forces UPDF detach in Oduk village, Zombo town council Zombo district. The attack, comprehensively covered by both local and International media and seemingly well planned by the assailants resulted in the demise of five U...

By Ronald Orachwun The months between November to February are always dry in several parts of Sub Saharan Africa. It is so dry and hot in other areas including parts of Uganda that finding decent water for drinking is a struggle and time consuming for an estimated 62 percent of women and girls in Sub Saharan Africa who bear the burden of fetching water in most households. But experts warn that this makes them vulnerable to harassment, sexual assa...

By Rosemary Anena A number of private schools in parts of Acholi sub region are struggling to offset loans acquired from financial institutions prior to the outbreak of COVID-19 in the country. In March 2020 when government of Ugandan closed schools and other public places, many school proprietors who normally service their loans using school dues were left with the burden to seek alternative sources of income to offset their loans. Robert Olanya...

By Aromo Agnes Road users in Gulu city have complained over inappropriate road designs and narrow roads, which is causing continues accidents. Moses Ojok, a boda-boda rider feels that there should be humps erected in front of Gulu high court, to avoid the daily accident records. John Bosco Oryem, a business man observes that there is no respect for persons with disabilities by the other road users. He says, whenever he travels to Kampala, traffic...

By Aromo Agnes 130 farmers in Amuru district have been identified to benefit from U gift irrigation project.Agricultural officer Amuru district says,the farmers were  identified following the assessment on the availability of land and  available water source. Denis Opira a farmer from pu Okumu parish disclosed that, after taking the farmer in to two irrigation schemes like Butaliga and Doho irrigation scheme, farmers realized that irrig...

By Sabir Musa Memories of 2015 still remains fresh in the mind of 20-year-old Doris Wadiko, a Senior Three student of Oleba Seeds Secondary school in Maracha District, West Nile sub region. Doris was just 15-years old when she conceived that year, forcing her to drop out of school. Her parents shortly forced her to get married at a tender age. “When I conceived, the situation at our family changed completely especially from my dad, he was ...

By Federick Dramadri. Three leaders of Arua central division performing artists Emyooga SAACO are in trouble over their alleged diversion of part of their Emyooga funds. The trio are accused of illegally withdrawing and misappropriating funds without the consent of group members. It is alledged that on 22nd August 2021, Peace Emuzu the chairperson, Oromchan Moses the secretary and Joseph Jurua the treasurer withdrew 19.5 million shillings without...

Robert Ojok Mone More than 147-families across Acholi Sub region are benefiting from biogas established by Caritas Gulu archdiocese under the “project green energy and nutrition” as an alternative energy source. Biogas is a mixture of gases, primarily consisting of methane and carbon dioxide, produced from raw materials such as agricultural waste, manure, garbage, plant material, sewage, green waste. The project is aimed at reducing g...

By Judith Atizoyo One person has been confirmed dead following a fatal accident in Madi-Okollo district. The deceased has been identified by detectives as Muzaidi Godwin, a resident of Offaka area in Madi-Okollo district. He was pronounced dead shortly after arrival at Okollo Health Center III. The deceased was hit by an Arua-bound bus from YY bus company registration number UAY 059V at around 7pm on Tuesday at Awaa village, Okollo Sub County as ...

By Gloria Lalam It’s nearly two years since the Ugandan government closed down schools as a measure to prevent the spread of the COVID-19. For ten-year-old Nazima Akanyo who has a hearing and speech disability, the prolonged school closure has meant additional stress and isolation. Reason? She has nobody other than her mother, 25-year old Aparo Rose Ajute, to look after her or play with her since the children in their Layibi industrial are...

By John Dibaba. Vendors operating at Arivu market in Arua district are counting losses after fire gutted a section of the market, leaving merchandise estimate close to 200 million shillings destroyed. The fire is believed to have been started by a suspected arsonist who torched a four roomed store at the market. The fire razed items including among others; clothes, gumboots, sewing machines and several sacks of produce. Stephen Alioni, one of the...

By Federick Dramadri. Arua regional referral hospital has rejected two enrolled nurses posted to the facility by Ministry of Health due to its poor structure. West Nile Members of Parliament during their visit to the facility were alarmed by the overwhelming number of student nurses working in the maternity ward with only one midwife playing the supervisory role. One of the nurses who declined to be named said situations become difficult when som...

By Chris Woo Some 69 people are currently pondering their next move after flash floods destroyed their houses and crops in parts of Ngai Sub County Oyam district. The flash floods caused by a heavy down pour also paralyzed transport as five roads and some bridges linking Ngai Sub County to other neighboring Sub Counties were destroyed. They include among others Olony Bridge which connects Ngai to oyam district headquarters, Oryangapat Bridge whic...

By Mike Rwothomio   Unknown people have strangled to death a businesswoman in Zombo district. The deceased has been identified by security authorities as 46 year old Isa Amina, a resident of Warr Center village, Zombo district.   Her corpse was discovered by area residents from a cassava plantation along Warr-Pamodo road in Leo Leo village Warr town council.   Available information shows that she was attacked by unknown assailants...

By Sharon Angucia. More than 700 AstraZeneca coronavirus vaccines are on the verge of expiry in Arua district if not unutilized by the end of the month. The vaccines include 152 doses at the district vaccine store and 514 doses at the 5 vaccination centers across the district. This is part of the 3,840 doses of the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccines the district received from the National Medical Stores NMS on the 27th of August this year. Arua Reside...

By Simon Onziga The uptake of Covid-19 vaccination by teachers in Arua city is improving much as the completion rate of the two doses in below average. The government listed teachers among those in the priority categories to receive the vaccine and has pegged the reopening of schools to how fast teachers can embrace the exercise. Arua City targeted to vaccinate about 1,800 teachers. But this did not include those from private schools. Sr. Sally ...

By Federick Dramadri One person has died and another nursing serious injuries at Kuluva hospital as Uganda Revenue Authority URA enforcement officers raided Ayivu trading center, Arua district in an operation to impound motorcycles without license plates. The deceased is 17 year old Jurua Bosco, a resident of Ayaka village while the injured has been identified by detectives Gertrude Afunia. The duo was hit by stray bullets as officers raided the...

By Musa Sabir Over 1,000 farmers in Arua district who were enrolled on the e-voucher system under the Agriculture Cluster Development Project ACDP failed to receive their inputs from suppliers. The five-year project was initiated in 2017, to improve on-farm productivity, production and volumes of selected agricultural commodities in specific geographical clusters of the country. The government obtained a loan of USD 249-million from the World Ba...

By Pamela Atim Government has decried the low uptake of COVID-19 vaccines in West Nile. The World Health Organization WHO defines vaccine uptake as the proportion of the eligible population who received the vaccine during a specific time. This is influenced by people’s attitude and beliefs regarding the vaccines, side effects, ease of access and capacity to mobilize people. But the government through Ministry of Health MOH has warned that ...

By Saffi Agupio Vurra Sub County, Arua district in West Nile region has been earmarked as the national venue for the commemoration of this year’s national World rabies day. This is as the Sub County was named as one of the major hotspot for rabies in the region as a result of failure by the urban authorities to reign in on stray dogs. This year’s World rabies day, scheduled for September 18, will be commemorated under the theme, &ldq...

By Sharon Angucia Arua district has been operating for close to three years without substantively appointed staff in seven critical departments. Arua district LC5 chairperson Alfred Okuonzi says the staffing gaps at the district is majorly because of the absence of a functional district service commission for the past two years. “Well one of the first things I put my hands when I took office was that council should appoint and approve memb...

By Vincent Guvule A 58 year old woman has drowned in a cold fast moving stream in Terego district. The deceased has been identified by security authorities as 58 year old Susan Enzaru, a resident of Emvea village Omugo Sub county Terego district. She was swept off as she attempted to wade through the flooded stream on her way from Kubala market following a heavy downpour. Area residents say the deceased failed to notice the culvert on the stream...

By Sabir Musa Government has warned communities against encroachment on central forest reserves and other government lands. The State Minister for Northern Uganda, Grace Freedom Kwiyocwiny says this is the leading to the rampant deforestation. It comes following reports by the National Forestry Authority that forest cover in the region is reducing. “We people who are encroaching on forest reserves, we can be as lucky as of now but the next...

By Ronald Orachwun Pimer Joan, a mother of four and resident of Olyeko cell, Nebbi municipality awoke around 6 am one Friday morning to fetch firewood. She tied a few ropes round her waist, armed with a machete and filled her 5 litre jerry can with clean and safe water. That Friday in June 2020 began like any other day in Pimer’s 11 years of marriage as the sole responsibility of fetching firewood lied on her and sometimes her 7 year old d...

By Musa Sabir Arua City COVID-19 task force is facing a stock out of kits amidst growing public demand for COVID-19 testing. The team is currently giving priority to contacts of those who previously tested positive for the disease and are asymptomatic. The head of surveillance at Arua City COVID-19 task force Mahmud Alias says only 6 out of 61 contacts identified were tested due to shortage of testing kits. “Number of contacts followed and...

By Sabir Musa Dressed in her blue soccer jersey branded with Fresh Dairy logo, Mercy Consolate Ariye 19, was on a street of Arua City around 5pm for the routine roadwork, a physical exercise. Mercy is a football player, she started playing football as early as primary 3 at Ushindi Primary School before an opportunity to travel to Tanzania crossed her way for a tournament. For the love of the game, Mercy has played for different clubs in the cap...

By Gloria Lalam The bare and rocky ground is littered with a few hardy trees. Electricity poles demarcate the land which is divided into small plots of land — each about 20 by 30 meters. A few slow flowing taps are scattered in the area. Young children, most of them below 12 years old, play as they line up their jerricans to get a turn at collecting water from the slow flowing taps that are located at strategic sections of the area. This i...

By Dramadri Federick One person has been shot and injured by a Uganda Revenue Authority URA enforcement officer in Arua district in an operation to impound a motorcycle without license plates. The gunshot victim is identified as 21 year old Philliam Anguni, a resident of Nyio Parish Vurra Sub county Arua district. He is currently nursing injuries at Arua regional referral hospital after the bullet passed through his thigh and hit the fuel reserv...

By Federick Dramadri Rhino Camp Health Center IV in Madi-Okollo district has received three oxygen cylinders as the facility grapples with management of COVID-19 and other respiratory diseases. The three 47 litre capacity oxygen cylinders were donated by Gulu Agricultural Development Company to supplement government’s efforts in the management of COVID-19. The facility’s in-charge Emmanuel Muto says the cylinders come timely followin...

By Agnes Aromo The new directive by government to ban hawking and roadside vending is taking a toll on people living with HIV/AIDS in Gulu City. In July this year, government issued new directives banning; praying in open spaces, not wearing masks, hawking, street vending and selling nonfood items, which will all get one arrested. The new directives are now deemed acts that enable the spread of COVID-19. "From our observations, we have not...

By Federick Dramadri Terego district council has approved the upgrade of 12 health facilities as the district strives to improve quality of health services. Priority has been given to the upgrade of Omugo health center IV to a district hospital and Wandi health centre III to a health center IV status. Other facilities which have been approved for upgrade to Health IIIs are; Micu and Tuku HCII in Bileafe Sub county, Itia in Katrini, Kumuyo, Ogua...

By Federick Dramadri Government has donated a 1.3 billion shillings firefighting equipment to the regional Police Fire and Rescue Brigade Police in West Nile region to aid response to emergencies of fire outbreaks in the region. Mirko Mucuda, a technical engineer at Ziegler Company says this vehicle has unique features and should be able to address to address the rampant fire outbreaks in the region. “This is high technology we do for Airp...

By Pamela Atim Arua High court has dismissed with costs, a case challenging the election of Nebbi Municipality Member of Parliament over academic qualifications. Robert Onega of the Forum for Democratic Change FDC filed a petition challenging National Resistance Movement NRM’s Hashim Sulaiman’s academic qualifications, claiming that he lacked the minimum requirement to contest for the parliamentary race. Gerald Padoko, the petitioner...

By Pamela Atim Former Arua City mayoral candidate in this year’s elections Afeku Isa Kato has withdrawn his election petition challenging the victory of Wadri Sam Nyakua. He cited irregularities and accused the Electoral commission of ballot staffing and alledged that results from at least 28 polling stations were not tallied. Kato, through his lawyer Paul Manzi sought leave of court to withdraw his petition under section 144 of the local ...

By Felix Ogenrwoth Two more frontline health workers have tested positive for COVID-19 in Nebbi district. The two are being managed under the home based care. The two fresh cases bring the total to 19, the cumulative number of health workers who have so far tested positive for the disease in Nebbi district. The 17 previous cases were discovered from five different facilities including; 8 from Nebbi general hospital, 5 from Akworo Health Center I...

By Federick Dramadri A planned move by Arua district council to visit the two proposed sites for the district’s headquarter came to a standstill just after residents in the surrounding villages of Tilevu and Alio laid road blocks to prevent the councilors saying parts of the land in Odumi Headquarter belongs to them. The district councilors started their visit at Arivu Sub county headquarters, which is one of the proposed sites. Here the c...

By Chris Woo   Nwoya district has vaccinated close to 4,600 herds of cattle as the district grapples with a fresh outbreak of the foot and mouth disease FMD.   The vaccination exercise majorly covered Anaka, Purongo and Lungulu Sub Counties that were largely affected by FMD barely two months ago.   Dr. James Ukwir, the Nwoya district veterinary officer says their target is to vaccinate at least 5,000 herds of cattle.   "M...

By Musa Sabir A section of Ayivu division councilors in Arua city are protesting the move by government to levy a tax on their allowances. The councilors are entitled to 250,000 shillings per council sitting, with a 30 percent deduction to run council business for the 2021/2022 fiscal year. This, according to the councilors will have an adverse effect on them since the money received as allowance is meager. Female councilor representing Onzivu W...

By Pamela Atim Government has decried the low response to birth and death registration among residents in West Nile despite the available enabling legislation. Arua district registration officer Christine Ajok says a number of people do not attach value to the documents. She says there are deliberate efforts needed to compel people to embrace the documents. ‘’Our community response to birth and death registration is still low. We nee...

By Sabir Musa For many years now, 17-year-old Mahmoud Olekua has been in the circle of different sports activities including football, athletics and boxing. Of all these, boxing is the field he is passionate about and hopes to build his talent around it. Olekua (also known in boxing as Kassim Sting) joined the boxing discipline three years ago, practicing with other team members formerly under Arua Boxing Club, now registered as a Community Base...

By Federick Dramadri At least three people have died while 135 others have been hospitalized with rabies in West Nile region. This comes as several districts in the region continue to silently grapple with stray dogs. Cases have been detected in the districts of Maracha, Madi-Okollo, Terego, Zombo, Maracha, Yumbe and Arua City in the first six months since the beginning of this year, with the most affected are children school below fourteen 14 y...

By Federick Dramadri Terego District leadership has petitioned the ministry of Local government over the alleged failure by Arua District to account for 22.4 billion shs meant to kick start the administrative unit last year. It is alleged that On October 2020, Terego District received a notice from Ministry of Finance through Ministry of Local Government over the Parliamentary approval of 23.8 billion shs supplementary funds as the district&rsq...

By Ronald Orachwun Rt. Rev Fr. Raphael P’Mony Wokorach has been consecrated and installed as the 4th bishop of Nebbi Catholic Diocese. The consecration was scheduled for June 26, 2021 but was postponed as the country was still under the 42-day nationwide lockdown enforced by the President to fight Covid-19. The diocesan seat fell vacant in November 2018 after Pope Francis transferred the then Bishop Sanctus Linus Wanok to Lira Catholic dio...

By Judith Atizoyo The business community in Arua City are up in arms with authorities over the continuous accumulation of garbage in some major streets. Some of the affected areas are; Iddi Amin road, Dukalane and Lemerijoa roads. The garbage has caused a heavy stench in parts of the town drawing protests from traders. A mobile money agent along Iddi Amin road who preferred anonymity raised a red flag over the irregular collection and disposal o...

Ojok Robert Mone Orom graphite mines is located in Kitgum district northern Uganda approximately 187 km north-east of Gulu city. Orom-Cross graphite is a world class graphite project both by size and end-product quality, with a high component of more valuable larger flakes within the deposit discovered in 2013 by discovery Africa-a private exploration company. A 21-year mining license for the project was issued by the Ugandan Government in 2019 ...

By Ronald Orachwun Preparations are in high gear for the episcopal consecration and installation of Rev. Fr. Raphael P’Mony Wokorach as the Bishop of Nebbi Catholic diocese. Preparations for the event was announced by Fr. Isaiah Milton Bicanduwun, the Diocesan chancellor Nebbi Catholic diocese on behalf of the Apostolic Nuncio to Uganda, Most Rev. Luigi Bianco. “Cordial and warm greetings from Nebbi Catholic diocese. The Apostolic Nu...

By Chris Woo   Black flies and tsetse flies have invaded Nwoya district causing panic among residents and the farming households. Tsetse flies that cause sleeping sickness in humans and nagana in livestock are a common sight and are currently breeding in at least three parishes in Lii Sub County including Langele, Lutuk and Lii, all of which are neighbouring Murchison falls national Park, which is a wildlife reserve.   Several farmers ...

By Rosemary Anena Authorities in Gulu city have halted the construction of a filling station, saying its establishment is illegal and encroaches on a wetland. Mid last month, Oil Energy Company started transporting hardcore construction material to the site, located on Pece Stream at Green valley village in Gulu West division, which authorities say is a gazetted wetland. The wetland was known as a home to papyrus, but it has been encroached on b...

By John Dibaba Government has been faulted for failing to fulfill its pledge for the completion of a classroom block at Arivu Secondary School in Arua district. In 1993, President Yoweri Museveni laid the foundation stone for the construction of a fully-fledged classroom block at the school and a dormitory. Also promised was a truck for the school. However 28 years down the road, the school is still waiting for its classroom block to be complete...

By Sabir Musa West Nile region’s best candidate in the recently released 2020 Uganda Certificate of Education (UCE) examinations has attributed the success to his focus and determination and the joint support received from parents and school administration. The 17-year-old Sukuru Yassin Daud, a student at Arua Secondary School emerged the best candidate in West Nile after obtaining aggregate nine in the 2020 UCE exams. “My success wa...

By Federick Dramadri A development partner in Terego district has established a temporary morgue as a coping mechanism as the district grapples with limited support to health service delivery and the burden posed by the influx of refugees. The structure was set up by International Rescue Committee IRC a Non-Governmental Organization handling health services in the refugee settlements across West Nile Sub region. It is located about 500 meters fr...

By Chris Woo Several crop farmers in 6 of the 15 Sub Counties in Oyam district are worried of the prolonged dry spell that has adversely affected productivity. The dry spell hit parts of the district for the last two months.   The most affected areas are Acaba, Kamdini, Myene, Iceme, Abok and Aleka sub counties.   Thomas Owiny a farmer in Ogwangapur parish Acaba Sub County says he is already preparing his land for the second planting s...

By Federick Dramadri At least 14 members of a suspected rebel outfit have allegedly surrendered to the Ugandan government. The rebels are said to belong to the Cooperative for the Development of Congo CODECO rebel outfit, mainly led by the Lendu ethnic tribe in the Democratic Republic of Congo DRC. The rebel outfit last month launched an attack on a Uganda People’s Defense Forces UPDF base in Zeu Sub County Zombo district, killing one UPD...

By Mike Rwothomio Police at Paidha central police station in Zombo district are investing the murder of a suspected thief. The deceased has been identified by security authorities as Juma Ocaki Onencan, a resident of Pakadha trading center in Abanga Sub County. He was lynched by an angry mob after several reports pinned him for the disappearance of household items including; saucepans, mattresses, solar panels, batteries and their accessories, l...

By Dramadri Federick Arua district leaders have raised concerns over the increasing cases of malnutrition among children due to inadequate breastfeeding. This is mostly among the teenage mothers who conceive without proper planning. Statistics from the first COVID-19 lockdown indicates that Arua district registered over 700 teenage pregnancy cases and most of the perpetrators abandoned the girls to dodge any possible arrest and of these only 5 p...

By Chris Woo Three men have been hospitalized in critical conditions following an alcohol drinking competition in Apac municipality. The trio has been identified as 28 year old Alex Okello, Alex Okori 35 and Moses Odongo 40, all residents of Ayom–Makagwata cell Atik Division, Apac municipality. Trouble ensued after the trio reached a consensus for who would drink and finish first a litter of waragi at Beiwe Trading Centre mid this week. It...

By Judith Atizoyo Authorities in Arua district have arrested the chairperson of Vurra constituency veteran’s EMYOOGA SACCO over embezzling part of group funds. 45 year old Samuel Abiyo was nabbed after he allegedly withdrew 29.5 million shillings belonging to the veteran’s EMYOOGA SACCO and ploughed the money in his own personal business without informing members of the group. He was arrested in the office of the Arua Resident distri...

By Robert Atiku   More than one thousand expectant mothers in Maracha District failed to attend their first Antenatal Clinic (ANC) services in the last financial year.   This is contained in a recent HIV/AIDS stakeholders review meeting at the district.   Godfrey Odama, the district biostatistician says the antenatal attendance coverage for the ended financial year 2020/2021 is worrying.   "In terms of antenatal cove...

By Judith Atizoyo Head teachers of some primary schools in Ayivu West division in Arua city have decried the poor state of infrastructure in their schools which they say contributes to poor performance. These concerns were raised during an evaluation of performance for pupils who sat for the 2020 primary leaving Examinations in Ayivu West.   The head teacher of Aripezu primary school Milly Maturu says "We have inadequate classrooms fo...

By Ronald Orachwun A story is told of a 67 year old man (William) not real names who dug his own grave for fear of contracting the infectious COVID-19. I caught up with him and his experience is not a happy one. “I have had to do preparations for my funerals. I bought three goats last year in December, though they have multiplied to around eight. Almost everything about corona virus gives me headache. I got so scared months back and ordere...

By Ronald Orachwun More residents in Arua are embracing testing for COVID-19 especially through the antigen rapid diagnostic tests RDT, amidst challenges of limited test kits. A number of lower facilities are also testing people with signs and symptoms of the disease and contacts of those who test positive for the disease. At Adumi Health Center III in Arua city, records show that about 10 people are tested daily using the Rapid Diagnostic Tes...

By Federick Dramadri Four police officers attached to Zombo Police have been dismissed from the force after the police disciplinary court in Arua found them guilty for negligence of duty, which led to the escape of a notorious suspect.   Among those dismissed include the acting District Police Commander ASP Joshua Twongo, CID officer ASP Paul Wanzala and Corporal Abidrabo Albert, whereas detective Corporal Ojur Sulaiman was sentenced to sev...

By Chris Woo Several pastoralists in Nwoya district are crying foul following a fresh outbreak of the foot and mouth disease. 1,663 new cases of the disease have been reported while 83 herds of cattle have so far succumbed to the disease. The most affected hot spots are Anaka, Purongo and Lungulu Sub Counties in Nwoya district. Jackson Kinyera a livestock farmer in Lawiokot village Purongo Sub County says their Lawiokot Cooperative farmer&rsqu...

By Ronald Orachwun Moyo district is grappling with the rising cases of teenage pregnancies as families brave the adverse effects of the corona virus lockdown. This was after recording 529 cases of teenage pregnancies in the last two quarters during the lockdown as a result of covid-19. The most affected girls are children of school going age between 16 to 17 years. Ameko Jimmy Wale the senior probation and social services welfare officer Moyo ...

By Ronald Orachwun Several residents in Zombo district are flocking private medical facilities as the fear of an increase in cases of COVID-19 continues to grip them. A number of residents who present with signs similar to COVID-19 are being told to report for medical attention to prevent transmission of the disease to other people. Crespo Jaraloch an attendant at God's will medical clinic in Paidha sub county Zombo district says they have...

By John Dibaba Two construction companies contracted to carry out civil works at Pawor Seed Secondary school in Pawor Sub County Madi-Okollo district is on spot for alleged shoddy work. The district received 1.4 billion shillings from the ministry of education and sports to accomplish the task, with the money distributed equally between Osdito Investment Limited and Dolphins Construction Company for the first phase and second phases of civil wo...

By Ronald Acema Nine people have been admitted at various health facilities while one other person is under home based care in Koboko town after eating food suspected to be laced with poison. The victims are all business people at the main gate of Koboko main market. Trouble started after jointly eating food at a local eating joint owned by a one Ramla Tiko located within the hawker Lane at Koboko main market. A number of the victims developed ...

Police in West Nile have arrested two top police bosses in Zombo district including two other junior officers on allegations of aiding the escape of a suspect from lawful custody. A team of officers from Arua Central Police station picked up the acting Zombo District Police Commander, Assistant Superintendent of Police-ASP, Joshua Twongo, the Criminal Investigations Officer, Paul Wanjara, the In-Charge of case files and another crime intelligenc...

By Frederick Dramadri An investigation has pinned eight staff of Arua regional referral hospital for the theft of an ambulance at the facility early this year from the hospital’s parking yard. An independent investigating company hired by the Hospital management Board conducted a two month investigation at the hospital with the aim of ascertaining how the ambulance donated by Ministry of Health to help to referrals at the onset of the seco...

By Felix Ogenrwoth For decades, access to electricity in the rural areas of Nebbi district has been problematic, forcing residents to resort to using kerosene lamps and small solar panels. Despite the ongoing government rural electrification programme and the several calls made for the power extension to rural population in Nebbi district, authorities in Nebbi Municipality are concerned over the sluggish distribution of electricity in the urban...

By Frederick Dramadri A sharp row has erupted between the management of Arua Regional Referral Hospital and the local leaders over supervision of the facility. Dr Filbert Nyeko, the director of the hospital in his presentation requested for an enabling legislation to regulate and monitor the visit of the hospital by the local leaders from the various districts across West Nile Sub region. This was during a recent joint covid-19 taskforce meetin...

By Ronald Orachwun As the pandemic continues to spread in Uganda, there are increasing messages promoting the use of herbal concoctions for management of COVID-19.   Health experts from Zombo district have warned that the continued use of herbal concoctions or remedies in the treatment of corona virus could lead to serious health complications, following a mad rush for concoctions comprising of; ginger, pepper, lemon fruits, tamarind, garli...

By Sharon Angucia Various stakeholders in Arua district implementing Spotlight initiative a programme which aims at eliminating all forms of violence against women and girls in the district have decried the high number of cases of teenage pregnancies and child marriages. Statistics on Sexual and Gender Based Violence in Arua district show that 208 cases of rape, 2783 defilement cases, indecent assault 68, 45 cases of death due to domestic viole...

By Denis Ouma 22 herds of cattle have been recovered from suspected South Sudanese rustlers in Lamwo district. The cattle were recovered on Thursday during a joint manhunt launched by the Local Defense Unit LDU and local leaders, following separate raids in Kiromi village, Okol parish, Madi opei sub-county in Lamwo District on Wednesday night. Security operatives traced the footmarks of the suspected rustlers forcing them to abandon the cattle...

By Ronald Acema Koboko District councillors have approved the elevation of four Health Centre II facilities in to the level of Health Center III in order to improve the quality of health service delivery in the district. The Chairperson of Social Services Committee Grace Goro who presented this recommendation to the council during the recent Council argued that the elevation of the lower health facilities would come with additional staffing. &...

By William Engamvile Koboko district.  Farmers in koboko district have lost hope in the first season crops as the continues dry spell in the district has caused withering and drying to the crops. The weather that has changed in koboko district started early this year where there has been poor rainfall pattern observed. Some of the crops that are affected in the district among others include maize, Groundnuts, beans, sorghum, cassava and al...

William Engamvile Koboko district. The new councillors of Dranya Sub county,in Koboko district, that were sworn in have been called upon to identify revenue sources within the sub county so as to increase the revenue base of the sub county as they begin council business. The appeal to the councillors was made on Friday 28th May 2021 at Global Eden Secondary School during the swearing in ceremony.Hon.Mambo Asraf LCV chairperson of Koboko distri...

Vincent Guvule vincentguvule@gmail.com Kyambogo Students of Kyambogo University on Thursday morning went on strike as the University administration has failed to address some of the grievances the University student leaders have put before the University administration. Some the grievances among others notably included the ODEL learning where the students are set to have online learning other than face to face lectures. The six weeks policy of...

By Ronald Acema acrony2014@gmail.com Koboko The District Chairperson of Koboko Hon Mambo Ashraf has unveiled the members of his Executive shortly after been sworn in as the Local Council five Chairperson of the District. According to the Appointments presented to the August house during the first session of the Fourth Council on Wednesday 19 may 2021, Hon. Muki Francis Maxwell, the Councillor representing Oraba Town Council will be the Di...

By Ronald Acema acrony2014@gmail.com Koboko The 2016/2021 Council of Koboko District Local Government has come under Criticism from some lower local leaders and member of the Public for not doing enough in addressing several recruitment challenges in the District as their mandate comes to an end.According to Donald Sanya aResident of Koboko District the fact that, the Council failed to establish a Service Commission in Place more than a year a...

By Ronald Acema acrony2014@gmail.com Koboko The Muslim leaders in Koboko Municipality used the Eid al-Fitr Celebration to call upon the followers of Islam impress and implement government Program in the Municipality.According to Sheik Abdulahi Rajan Fadimula the of Koboko Municipality who led a crowd of over two thousand Muslims during the Eidi prayer at Nyarilo Primary School play ground there is need for the parents to promote equal educatio...

By Ronald Acema acrony2014@gmail.com Koboko The out gone District Chairperson Koboko Hassan Gyinya Saidi has petitioned the Central Government to improve the well fate of the Local leaders in across the District if the Quality of Service Delivery within Local Governments is to improve.Making his last speech as the District Chairman Koboko District during the Swearing in of the new District Council Leaders on may 19 2021 Hon. Gyinya Saidi o...

Uganda’s Jacob Kiplimo produced a stellar performance at the 2021 Ostrava Golden Spike to finally secure his 10,000M Olympic ticket for team Uganda. The 2020 World Half Marathon champion clocked 26:33.93 to beat the Olympic qualifying mark of 27:28.00. Jacob Kiplimo’s latest exploits in Czech Republic ranks his 26:33.93 time seventh in the world in the history of the 10,000m race. Uganda’s Joshua Cheptigei is the current 10,0...

By Sabir Musa sabirmusa2@gmail.com DFCU Bank Arua branch has handed over a cheque worth Ug. SHS 2,411,994 to a customer who emerged winner in the first phase of Bounce Back Campaign. The Bounce Back is a campaign run by DFCU Bank to address impact of COVID-19 on businesses where they offer loan at reduced interest and winners’ loan is off-set by the bank. Irene Ayikoru, a Teacher at Ediofe Girls Primary School was announced the first lu...

By Sabir Musa sabirmusa2@gmail.com A family along school road in Arua Central Division was on Monday evicted by Arua City Council to pave way for the ongoing road construction. This is one of the 16 families affected by the 18 billion shilling road project financed through Uganda Support to Municipal Infrastructural Development – USMID. By 8am, a team led by the Building Control Officer at Arua City Council backed-by Uganda Police arri...

By Sabir Musa sabirmusa2@gmail.com  Some community members in Rigbo Sub County, Madi-Okollo District have given Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) 21 days to address their demands as the landlords for offering land to host refugees under Rhino camp Refugee settlement. Through their umbrella, Oluba Community Development Association, the members are demanding for compensation and agreement as they accuse OPM for allegedly occupying the land ...