𝐄𝐗𝐏𝐋𝐎𝐑𝐄𝐑 𝐍𝐄𝐖𝐒 𝐑𝐎𝐔𝐍𝐃𝐔𝐏
𝐈𝐒𝐒𝐔𝐄 288
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MAY 05, 2023
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🇺🇬 UNRA diverts traffic along Kabale-Kisoro road to fix damaged section
📌Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA) has diverted traffic along Kabale-Kisoro road to fix the damaged section of the road at Bwaara village in Hamurwa Town Council in Rubanda District which was severely affected by landslides.
“Following the landslides affecting parts of the sub-region, where as our emergency response team mobilizes the needed equipment to restore the damaged section, traffic has been diverted to Kabale-Katuna-Rubaya-Muko road for travelers heading to Kisoro and Vice versa. Road users can alternatively use Kabale- Lake Bunyonyi road to Kachwekano- Kagarama through Rubona to Hisesero/Muko (20km), ” said UNRA Management in a letter dated May 4, 2023.

🇺🇬 Court nullifies law prohibiting use of Marijuana and Miraa
📌The Constitutional Court in Kampala has nullified the entire Narcotic, Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Control Act of 2016 on grounds that it was passed without the required quorum in Parliament. This follows a petition by farmers of Miraa under their umbrella body Wakiso Miraa Growers and Dealers’ Association Ltd who wanted Court to quash the law describing Miraa and Marijuana as a narcotic drug. According to the petitioners, the prohibition was not backed up by any scientific evidence yet it had a disruptive effect on the livelihood, property, cultural, and social economic rights of the petitioners who are Mairungi farmers, sellers, and consumers.
“I would like to declare the Narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances control act, 2015 as null and void for lack of quorum on the part of parliament contrary to article 88 and 89 of the constitution and rule 23 of the rules of procedure of the 9th parliament 2012,” ruled Justice Muzamiru Mutangula Kibeedi.

🇺🇬 BoU woos Teso farmers to borrow at low interest rates
📌The Bank of Uganda (BoU) has sensitized farmers engaged in small businesses in Teso sub region on borrowing, and advised them to borrow from bank with the lower interest rates to expand their ventures. This was during the opening of the regional Town Hall meeting between the BoU officials and Teso Regional community held in Soroti City. Alex Lwanja, the Deputy Director Agricultural Credit Facility at BoU advises that through the Small Business Recovery Fund, the farmers can borrow up to a tune of Shs200 million at 10% interest.

🇺🇬 Government seeks Shs956 billion to revamp Kampala-Malaba railway
📌Government is seeking Parliament approval to borrow Ugx956 billion from the African Development Bank and Corporate International Fund of Spain for the refurbishment of the Kampala-Malaba Meter Gauge Railway project. The Minister of State for Planning, Amos Lugolobi presented the proposal to the Parliamentary committee of Physical Infrastructure and National Economy. MPs welcomed the proposal to refurbish the railway line noting that it will ease trade as it reduces the cost of transporting goods from Malaba to Kampala and waiver of traffic congestion on Jinja road.

🇺🇬 MASAKA: Billions lost as fire destroys Club Ambiance
📌Police in Masaka City are investigating the cause of the fire that gutted Masaka’s biggest nightclub, Club Ambiance on Friday morning burning to ashes property worth billions of shillings. According to eyewitnesses, the blaze which destroyed the interior of the club happened at around 2AM. Mr Twaha Kasirye, the Southern Regional Police Spokesperson, said the fire brigade team tried to put out the fire, in vain. Adad Bukenya who has worked as DJ at Club Ambiance for two decades says that the fire destroyed expensive items like sound systems, amplifiers, lights, soundproof, carpets, fridges, and large TV screens among others, estimated at Shs4 billion.

🇺🇬 LUWEERO: Two pupils drown in water dam
📌Two pupils of St. Beneventure Mulaje Primary School in Bamunanika County reportedly drowned in a nearby dam where they had gone to catch fish. The incident took place Thursday during the closing day of term one. The school headteacher has identified the pupils as Denis Lukwago, 11 and Jordan Mukasa, 12 both in primary three. The Savannah Regional Police Spokesperson, Sam Twinamagezi confirmed the incident.

🇺🇬 KATAKWI: Construction of Akoboi seed school ongoing in Ongongoja subcounty
📌Government has embarked on the construction of Akoboi Seed School in Ongongoja sub county in Katakwi District. The classroom blocks under construction include a modern Science laboratory at window level and two classroom blocks. The district chairperson, Goeffrey Omolo welcomed the development and warned the contractor to deliver quality works.

ACROSS BORDERS
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🌍 Death toll in Rwanda mudslides rise to 130
📌Officials in Rwanda say the search for victims of the recent landslides has continued after torrential rains this week that were triggered by severe flooding and mudslides in the north, western and southern provinces. The death toll has risen to at least 136 people and has left thousands of homes washed away. Government officials surveying the affected areas said they expect the death toll to rise as several victims are still likely to be buried in mud and debris.

🌍 KENYA: Dedan Kimathi’s widow dies at 101
📌Mukami Kimathi, the widow of Dedan Kimathi, Kenya’s revered freedom fighter has died aged 101. In his tribute, President Ruto said Mama Mukami Kimathi was part of the history of Kenya’s freedom and praised her resilience even after her husband was executed by the colonial administration. Official government records show that Kimathi was captured by the colonial administration in 1956 at Kahigaini in the Aberdare ranges and executed in 1957 in Kamiti Prison. Until her death, Mukami has been advocating for the exhumation of the remains of her husband from Kamiti Maximum Prison to be buried at his home.

🌍 Ethiopia opens up airspace for Sudan evacuation efforts
📌Ethiopia has opened up its air space to allow foreign countries to airlift their citizens out of Sudan amidst the ongoing fighting in Khartoum. The Spokesperson Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Meles Alem, announced on Thursday that the Ethiopian Government has so far granted 75 flight permits to 18 countries based on international humanitarian principles.