In March 2022, the government initiated the process of repossessing the former Sango-bay sugar estates located in Kakuuto, Kabira, Kyebe, and Mutukula sub-counties of Kyotera district. The aim was to convert the land into Oil Palm tree plantations as part of the National Vegetable Oil Development program.
The affected facilities include; Kakuuto Health IV, Minziiro Health Centre II, Nazareth Primary School Kannabulemu and Gwanda Primary Schools in Kyebe Sub County, and Kibumba primary school in Kasensero town council among others.
Apollo Mugume, the Kyotera Resident District Commissioner also shares that same frustration as the political leadership, indicating that such centrally awarded contracts frustrate his monitoring roles because the contractors often dodge to provide him with accountability.
Doctor Grace Nambatya, the Director of Research at NCRI says they are going to carry out clinical trials on the late Anatooli’s herbal medicine combinations, with a view of preserving his knowledge and promoting the use of natural therapies for various illnesses.
Teopista Nassali aged 80 years and Protazio Mugenyi who is 62 years, both residents of Mabaale in Kabira sub county, Kyotera district indicate that they have since been receiving monthly stipends of 20,000 shillings to cater for their basic necessities of life, but the money can no longer do much given the rising prices.
Agnes Namusiitwa, the Kyotera LC V Vice Chairperson and Kakuuto Sub County LC V councilor, says that girls as young as thirteen years have fallen victim to the obsolete cultural practice of bridal kidnap, which is acceptable among some communities in Kyotera and Rakai districts.
Led by Vincent Birimuye, the petitioners are opposed to the 33,000 and 25,000 Shillings as the evaluated cost for coffee and banana plants respectively, arguing the rates are unfair compared to the evaluation reports in other districts.
Muhammad Nsubuga, the Southern Regional Police Spokesperson, says that the officers managed to retrieve Kiwanuka’s body and handed it to his family members after a postmortem.
Kiwanuka arrived in Kyakuduse on Tuesday evening to fix the pump but got trapped in the tank due to insufficient oxygen supply. It is alleged that the snap hook on his climbing buckle broke and he fell inside the tank and had no way of getting out.
The deceased has been identified as Robert Luyima, 35, a resident of Matale village, in Kalisizo town council. It is said that Luyima had been arrested for whipping his nephew who messed up a house that was left in order.
The development comes a week after the First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for East African Affairs, Rebecca Kadaga visited Kyotera where she said that the Sango bay land issues had been poorly handled.
Kadaga also the Minister for East African Affairs told URN in Mutukula that it would be unfair to render the occupants homeless yet the majority have spent over 40 years on the land. Her remarks come at a time when the occupants have been given seven days to peacefully vacate the land or be forced out to pave way for the oil palm project.
Kadaga says the market will not only develop the district but also create employment for the residents of the greater Masaka region. She explains that the project will give rise to good road infrastructure, electricity supply, a fully-fledged airport, shelter and shops among others.
According to Harriet Nabbala, the Kasensero Town Clerk, the majority of residents littler feces due to a lack of pit latrines which may spark deadly diseases such as typhoid during the rainy season.
Edith Lule, a councillor representing Kalisiizo ward to Kalisiizo Sub county, indicates that they are currently gambling with local government procedures and the governing legal framework, which compromises both the quality of debates and their ability to supervise technical staff.
According to Dr. Aloysious Musoke, the Medical Officer in charge of Kakuuto HCIV, they have a 15-bed capacity which is not enough for the increasing number of patients at the maternity ward. He explains that they usually make between 4 and 6 deliveries every day which averages between 120 and 180 deliveries every month.
Luti police post which was meant to serve the areas of Luti, Kyampagi, Kalagala, Gayaza A, Gayaza B, Kyakuduse, Kamenya, and Bukalasa villages, was closed in October 2017, after thugs raided the police post and stole a gun from the police constable on duty.
