UG.SPOTLIGHT NEWS CHANNEL

Life strays from the East, sun rises and the mountains seated on the horizon while the sounds of the early bird echoes as a young beautiful girl straches through the window complementing the day! Areal View Of Mutoto cultural heritage center. " What a day that lives to see me today, the sweetest sunrise makes the east of my origin" "A loud knock on the door sounds repeatedly calling out, Sandrah wakeup!, it's a cultural day, wakeup and we trek down the mountain before Mutoto cultural grounds turns dust and dusky. An echo rebounds in the background while both answering "Awowoo! Awo yaya" signifying the #ImbaluMuliro, yes we must catch up the day before the west assumes darkness".  Sandrah 's  friend at the door repeats the knock making an angry fold on her face, tall and slim in a tender dress while her  black bag hangs from the left hand with ease, the door opens nearly and shuts again prompting her into the room...

The Office of the president through the directorate for ethics and integrity held a consultative meeting in Mbale district local government on the Draft Asset recovery rules. Key stakeholders in the district attended the workshop at Wash and Wills Country home, the order paper highlighted core values and legal framework underlining confiscation of property of a person convicted of an offence of corruption Act.  Section 73. On the Act of empowering the Chief Justice to make rules to regulate the procedure for confiscation and recovery orders; for the appointment of managers, receivers or administrators and any other related matters. The participants took a lead on the a mentioned, citing rectification, adjustments and additional enactment under the Ant. Corruption Act Cap 116. Chief Administrative Officer, Angella AKURUT, Resident District Commissioner-Bayole Stanley, District Chairperson- Mafabi Muhammad, legal practitioners, Private sector and Community Society Orga...

THE GENOCIDE THEY DON’T TALK ABOUT  Between 1904 and 1908, in Namibia, something happened that should shake every African soul awake. The Herero and Nama people stood up against German colonial rule. The response? Extermination. German General Lothar von Trotha issued an order that the Herero people were to be driven into the Omaheke Desert — cut off from water, surrounded, and left to die. Wells were poisoned. Escape routes were blocked. Men. Women. Children. Left to thirst under the burning African sun. By the time it ended, up to 80% of the Herero population and 50% of the Nama population had been wiped out. This was not “conflict.” This was not “clash.” This was not “civilizing mission.” This was genocide. Many historians recognize it as the first genocide of the 20th century, decades before the Holocaust. Let that sink in. Africa was the laboratory. Our land was the testing ground. Our bodies were the experiment. And yet… how many African children are taught this i...

The Production department continues profiling several projects underway on Parish development model (PDM), Irrigation schemes and National Oilseed project (NOSP). These stories are real life exhibitions with farmers' inclusivity across the district. We bring you these farming perspectives and sessionional farming corners of evidenced narratives and assessments from beneficiaries in Bubyangu, Bufumbo and Bungokho-Bumbobi Sub counties.  Government programs are being implemented to benefit suitable farmers most especially those under Parish development model, microscale irrigation schemes and National Oilseed projects (NOSP).  The Chief Administrative Office has the mandate to monitor and evaluate these projects but most importantly ensure that they meet up target objectives and rightful beneficiaries for responsive feedback. This week, several farms and farmers were visited by the District Production and Marketing Office for assessment and pro...

A number of Youths and Women partaking  in Youth livelihood and women entrepreneurship programs in Mbale district trained in financial management underscored by beneficiaries. Over 120 beneficiaries including 10 youth and 13 women groups were approved for more funding from the Ministry of Gender, labour and social development in this financial year. Each group is expected to earn between 2-12 million shillings depending on the timely repayment plans, most beneficiaries prioritize in produce, farming,  charcoal brickets, Boda Boda riding and retail vending. Nekesa Harriet, the Principal community development officer, says most women receiving money, must implement on the enterprises selected to reflect the budgetary recalls. They should use the money given to do the prioritised activities at all levels realising dreams come true. Over 130 million shillings have been realised by the Government for refinancing groups who paid back loans on time and additional groups c...

Elgon Foundation Of Persons With Albinism (EFPA) rolls out clinic outreach program for cancer screening and skincare in nine districts of the Elgon region, this was revealed during the media briefing today at St. Andrews Cathedral hall.  Beyonce and care join hands on supporting the persons with albinism in communities through providing skincare cosmetics, sun classes and sensitisation training to end barriers of stigma among people living with albinism. Executive Director, Nekesa Elizabeth for persons with albinism called out the clinic outreaches and facilities for referrals during this program. She says, Beyonce and care has touched many lives in saving them against skin cancer and impairedments in the region. "Stigma among the persons with albinism is relatively low compared to the previous responses on what the communities perceived in albinism." She said. newsspotlight23.blogspot.com

The Production department continues profiling several projects underway on Parish development model (PDM), Irrigation schemes and National Oilseed project (NOSP). These stories are real life exhibitions with farmers' inclusivity across the district. We bring you these farming perspectives and sessionional farming corners of evidenced narratives and assessments from beneficiaries in Bubyangu, Bufumbo and Bungokho-Bumbobi Sub counties. Government programs are being implemented to benefit suitable farmers most especially those under Parish development model, microscale irrigation schemes and National Oilseed projects (NOSP). The Chief Administrative Office has the mandate to monitor and evaluate these projects but most importantly ensure that they meet up target objectives and rightful beneficiaries for responsive feedback. This week, several farms and farmers were visited by the District Production and Marketing Office for assessment and progress on the various enter...

Over 600 households in Bubyangu sub county are living under fear due to proneness to Landslides including Bunalutere village  , Bubyangu upper village  , Mubalagaye village  , wambewo township  , Kikobero village  , bunawozi upper village and Biboto village in Bubyangu parish  . Bunawozi lower village   , kiyanza village  , bukwaga A village of bunawozi parish  . Lukonje village  , bunabigubo upper village in bunabigubo parish. Bubyangu lower village in madenge parish  and Kiyenga village in bukikoso parish respectively "The Office of the Prime Minister registered these victims and promised to give each household 17 million shillings  to acquire some piece of land and relocate there as government finishes up with house construction as programmed in bulambuli and kween." One of the beneficiaries stated. They appeal to Government  to consider  urgent resettlement plan as the affected families conti...

Over 600 million shillings to aid the construction of a 4 unit modern laboratory, 3 classroom block and 2 five stance VIP pit latrine at Namawanga Secondary school in Lukhonje Sub county, Mbale district. Apparently, the school's population stands at 700 students from S.1 to S.4 including boys and girls all as day scholars. This project was witnessed by the District Resident Commissioner- Bayole Stanley, UPDF Engineering Brigade, Chief Administrative office led by Mutuwa Regina Mabonga, and the school administration led by Headmistress, Napokoli Peossy Cardia. Bayole Stanley, the Resident District Commissioner pledged continuous support from the Government saying the school community should improve the performance so that the enrollment is realised with high turn up. He appreciated the members of parliament in the district upon fostering this development, saying their tenure in office has had a hand in this kind of development. The construction is expected to last ...

Her routine suppervison resonates from the meeting held on 23rd January this year that resolved to fast track national oilseed project road  to ensure completion on time.  In ensuring efficient and effective work at the sites, the Chief Administrative Officer has paced up weekly supervision to beat the timeline. The completion of works on headwalls and stone pitching along Aswani-Busano road link and lastly at Ndokhwe arch bridge shows the work progress is now at 90% The NOSP has been operating in the district from 2023 to date, in the sub counties of Bungokho, Busoba, Bukiende, Lukhonge and Busiu.  Currently, the NOSP road connects Bungokho to Bumbobi and Aswan to Busano as a Rehabilitation Community Access road covering 11.6km The National Oilseed project aims to enhance commercialisation within key oilseed value chain that is by improving livelihoods and resilience among smallholder farmers engaged in oil seeds production and marketi...

In ensuring adequate accountability and sector developments are achievable, Several projects have been aligned to lower local governments and urban centres under the water office to guarantee safe and clean water, health on staff quarters to provide safe and quality care for both mothers and new born babies, and in the education department, to ensure learners' environment is sound and meaningful with proper hygiene and Sanitation. Mbale district local government continues to plan and appropriate funds to areas with need but also improving the services across the district. Several sites were handed over to contractors meeting the requirements to execute works in accordance to project costings and complete the works in time since 75% of funds are already in the district account. Under Water Sector: 4 Boreholes were launched each costing 22.5 million shillings. 1- Khamoto village, Bungokho Sub county-01 2- Murumba village in Mbale Town Council-01 3- Butses...

Bubentsye Seed Secondary School is a government-supported school located in Bunatsoma village, Wanale Sub-county of Mbale District, currently serving over 400  students in a remote, high-altitude area.  The institution features modern infrastructure including science labs, computer labs, and teacher quarters, and actively engages students through educational outreach programs.  The population is drastically deteriorating due to internal fights between management and the community leading to emptyness and dust coats on walls apparently.  Land acquisitions and representation on boards seems to brawl beyond the standards. The Resident District Commissioner, Bayole Stanley together with Political and  district technical team visited the school only to find loitering students in clusters without teachers and administrators during class hours. Bayole directed the chairman board to make it in the writing explaining irregularities that have affec...

We extend our focus and discussion on different rotational exposure tours to expound on experiences shared with experts to understand deeper on how best our farmers can co-exhibit different breeds in areas of practice to step up yields. Technology adoption and adaptability aimed at reviving improved agronomy for substance and commercial farming. The district team for Smart Climate has continued making study tours on mapped breeds into complete sessions with inclusive samples that are tolerant and yielding for farmers to adopt. The team visited Kasolwe stock farm in Kamuli district to share experiences and understand scores on national animal genetic resources centre and data bank and how best to integrate crops and what transpires on adaptability in the seasoned framework. This narrative has been underscored by farmers, in occurrence to understand the patterns of agriculture and several application stances in the fields and whatever barriers r...

Buginyanya zonal agriculture research and development institute covers 27 districts as a transformative project that carries out research on climate resilience and sustainable interventions in crop, livestock and fisheries under NARO Mbale district team visited Buginyanya research institute to understand the technologies and share experiences on  coffee integration and banana sustainable system land management, and how best to increase Arabica coffee productivity and promotion of quality Arabica coffee planting materials. This is aimed at producing high quality seed and seedlings across different coffee varieties including SL 14, SL 28, KP 162, KP 423, banana varieties including pests and diseases.  The Chief Administrative Officer, Angela AKURUT stressed that the core team is ably transformative and their coming is an ideal for the better result thereafter, she urgued the institute for continuous support whenever such courtesy calls emerge ...

In addressing problems related to production and productivity like pests and diseases, poor yields, soil and water management among others, Mbale district local government under production department continues to benchmark in areas lacking technological information, knowledge and skills to prioritize and bridge specialists and farmers to improve and adopt modern farming with sustainable yields. The National Semi Arid Resources Research Institute (NASARRI) in Serere district under the Agricultural Extension Grant (AEG) unlocks the opportunities through research intensity and crop varieties to farmers in areas of interest. The anticipated event by the Mbale team was scheduled to interact with researchers and technicians at the institute in portfolios of oil crops, production, livestock, pasture and farm mechanisation. The district production and marketing officer, Wanakina George Davidson stated the core ...

Uganda and Tanzania are set to begin crude oil exports through the $5 billion East African Crude Oil Pipeline by October.  Stretching over 1,400km, it will be the world’s longest heated crude pipeline, carrying up to 230,000 barrels per day. newsspotlight23.blogspot.com

“Don’t tamper by going to the bush. We shall pick you like a grasshopper. In the first two days, you will be crushed,” UPDF 4th Infantry Division Commander Maj Gen Felix Busizoori said on Friday, reacting to a group of people identifying as former LRA warlords who recently declared an interest in taking up arms against President Museveni’s government by resuming an insurgency from northern Uganda. http://newsspotlight23.blogspot.com

Whereas the days in the month January seems usual on the normal calendar, 15th day of January 2026 presume to live on syndicate and tension as we battle our hearts out on a day long camps at every polling station, it won't be the presidential tackle, the voters will gang to follow their parliamentary representatives.   *They will Tint and torn colours with anxiety in leads and run ups.*  "I have been trying to figure out how the day will end and what evening cast desires to be remembered!" There are incidences when tallies seemingly resemble wins without voters' casts but the mood is settled in pain.  Let's not paste our mood for without colour, we all belong to this nation and our future has been ably transformed into the political sphere of peace and tranquility.  *Refrain from madness, the "Beehives" aren't empty and they are in the bazing minutes* . 40 years down the road has a glued back record on identifiable developments, our assum...

During the social mobilisation meeting today at the lukhobo hall, the Community Development Officers and Health assistants together with hand pump mechanics and Scheme attendants were called to review and discuss the performances at sub county levels on water and Sanitation. Wandera Simon Peter, the district water officer says the anticipated meeting covers for review on performances at the sub county levels where presentation details the status and challenges affecting communities. He highlighted the recommendations as the agitated voices on water and Sanitation. The department has the mandate to take the participants through the new sanitation improved approach to reflect on water and Sanitation and how best this can benefit all the communities in the Mbale district. He said. "Refreshing the participants on day to day roles in their respective sub counties for efficiency and effectiveness, is the major objective as far as WASH is concerned." Wandwasi Moses, a h...