Crested Crane killers face life in jail or Shs20 billion fine

Feb 18, 2022Read original

What you need to know:

The bird, scientifically known as Balearica regulorum gibbericeps, inhabited Uganda’s swamps and fields.

The Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities and the Commissioner of Wildlife have warned people against killing the Crested Cranes, saying they will either face a life imprisonment or pay a Shs20b fine.

The crested crane, chosen as Uganda’s national symbol nearly 100 years ago, is one of the most cherished birds in the country.

“Its beauty and elegance were the reasons the crane was chosen as Uganda’s national emblem but the destruction of its habitat, and series of factors, is making it an endangered bird. The penalty for killing a crested crane is life imprisonment or pay Shs20 billion,” Mr George Owoyesigire, the commissioner for wildlife, said yesterday.

The bird, scientifically known as Balearica regulorum gibbericeps, inhabited Uganda’s swamps and fields.

It has 16 different species in the world, four of which are found in Africa, including the ‘great’ Grey Crowned Crane in Uganda. There are about 8,000 Crested Cranes left in Uganda, down from 35,000 in 1989, according to the ministry.

The Ministry of Tourism has also set March 3 for the celebration of the World Wildlife Day at Uganda Wildlife conservation Centre (UWEC) in Entebbe under the theme, ‘Recovering Species for ecosystem Restoration’.

Addressing journalists yesterday, Mr Tom Butime, the Minister for Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities, said the theme draws attention to the critical role that key species of plants and animals are endangered.

He also said there will be a cranes festival on February 28 in Kaikolongo in Lwengo District. Mr Butime said the festival has been organised in the district for residents to appreciate the importance of the Crested Crane, and therefore stop killing it.

Offences relating to protected species under UWA Act, 2019

(1) A person who without a permit issued in accordance with this Act-

(a) takes, hunts, molests or reduces into possession protected specimen; or

(b) is found in possession of, sells, buys, transfers or accepts transfer of protected specimen; commits an offence, and shall on conviction be liable to a fine not exceeding ten thousand currency points or to life imprisonment or both.

(2) Where an offence prescribed in subsection (1) relates to a specie classified as-

(a) extinct in the wild; (b) critically endangered; or (c) endangered; a person shall on conviction be liable to a fine of not exceeding one million currency points or to life imprisonment or both.

UPDF Soldier sentenced to 40 years imprisonment

Feb 15, 2022Read original

NEWS – The Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) Court Martial sitting at Mountain Division Headquarters in Fort Portal has sentenced Lance Corporal Piangu Hussein Mwanika to 40 years in prison for murder.

The prosecution led by Lt. Moses Ekwamu told the military court that on July 24, 2021, at around 09.00 pm, while on guard duty at Kanyamwirima barracks in Bundibugyo, Mwanika gunned down and killed Pte Christine Akido.

According to the court records, L/Cpl Piangu was intoxicated while at the Observation Post-OP, having smoked marijuana. When Akido came to meet him, he subsequently shot her four bullets in the chest, killing her instantly.

In his ruling, Col. Robert Okiror, the Chairperson of the Mountain Division Court Martial, said that the court had considered the submissions of both the prosecution and defence teams and found that the accused acted under the influence of drugs, in contrast to the professional standards.

He said the court found the accused to have killed the deceased with malice aforethought. He, therefore, convicted the accused, saying that by the time he returned to society after serving 40 years, he would be a reformed person.

The Mountain Division Court-Martial started sitting on February 10th, 2022 and is trying 17 cases. These range from capital offences, service offences, and service misconduct.

BREAKING: Mabirizi Sentenced To 18 Months In Prison; Appeals Decision

Feb 15, 2022

High Court judge Musa Ssekaana has sentenced city lawyer Hassan Male Mabirizi to 18 Months in prison.

But Mabirizi has since appealed the decision.

On Tuesday February 22, 2022 at 10am, Justice Madrama of Court of Appeal will hear the youthful lawyer’s application to stay execution of all Ssekaana’s orders under miscellaneous application No. 843 of 2021.

Mabirizi says Ssekaana’s order for detention is illegal.

“The order is illegal because no man can be a judge in his own cause,” said Mabirizi.

Details follow…

Barbie Kyagulanyi melts hearts as she celebrates husband Bobi Wine in an open letter on his big day (Screenshot)

Feb 12, 2022

Barbra Itungo Kyagulanyi, the wife of former presidential candidate Robert Kyagulanyi aka Bobi Wine has melted hearts on social media as she heaped praises on her husband on his 40th birthday.

Barbie said that her biggest achievement in life is being Bobi’s wife.

“My best friend is 40 today! If I were to write another book today 10 years after my first, I’d still say that my biggest achievement at this point in life is to be married to you Mr President.

“I have been a beneficiary of everything good that a human being can get from having the honor to live with the most inspirational man in the country. Happy birthday my love,” She wrote.

Barbie and Bobi have been married for 10 years and their Union is one to admire. Before getting married, the pair dated and cohabited for 10 years and had children.

80 year-old kills self over suspected cheating wife

Feb 11, 2022

Police in Kabale are investigating unclear circumstances under which a man of 80 year committed suicide after failing to end the life of his wife.

The deceased has been identified as Edward Nsigirenda a resident of Rwembogo cell, Muyebe parish, Buhara sub county Kabale district, who allegedly cut the wife Lydia Nduhukire,60, suspecting her of having an extra marital relationship.

It’s alleged that the two had a long standing domestic violence resulting from the cheating allegations, and two years back, Nsigirenda badly assaulted the Nduhukire to the extent of being hospitalized.

It’s further alleged that, from the hospital, she went to her son’s home in Kakumiro district fearing for her life.

It’s in the month of December 2021, when the deceased called his son Nampa Dickson requesting the wife to come back home promising to have reformed. Nduhukire came back and they stayed normally.

According to the Kigezi regional police spokesperson Elly Maate, the couple while sleeping together on Wednesday night, the wife heard the panga falling down from the bed prompting her to fear.

Nsigirenda picked it up and cut her hand.

“She made an alarm that attracted people who rushed her to Buhara health centre III, leaving the man inside the house. The man knowing that had killed her, then hanged himself with a rope inside the bed room after locking the house from inside, ” Elly Maate said .

This case been reported at Kabale police under file number CRB 085/2022.

Presenter MC Casmir Speaks On His Cheating Scandal

What's Hot in Uganda, Here's is What You Missed Today!!

Top News MediaFeb 10, 2022

YOU’LL SOON KNOW WHO I AM! NBS Presenter MC Casmir Speaks On His Cheating Scandal; Threatens To Punish Those Who Caught Him Pants Down

NBS TV Hit Maker presenter MC Casmir has spoken out on his cheating scandal, threatening to punish those who filmed him in the act.

Videos circulating online show MC Casmir apologize after he was caught red-handed with a man’s wife.

In a message shared online, MC Casmir believes his cheating scandal has “attracted public and state interest because of the video circulating.”

He has now threatened to ensure that “officers involved at my house that turned it into a crime scene, those that arrested me and the man who recorded video are all being brought to justice one by one.”

He added that he will not rest until are “damages caused” have been “cleared.”

City Car Robber Netted

The Police at Kira road is holding a car robber, Spyreports has learnt.

The suspect has been identified as Muwanga Edward, a resident of Kyengera Town Council who allegedly stole a motor vehicle registration number UAU 672 U along Kampala Parents Stretch.The incident happened today afternoon when Muwanga accessed the said vehicle using master keys and drove it off.

However, the owner of the vehicle made an alarm and he was given a chase and intercepted .

A mob descended on him and beat him up, but he was rescued by the responding police patrollers .

A search was conducted and several keys were recovered on him. They have been exhibited.

Kampala Metropolitan Police Deputy Spokesperson Luke Owoyesigyire confirmed the arrest.

Owoyesigyire said that the suspect is currently detained at Kira road Police.

Uneb Finally Releases 2022 PLE, UCE, UACE Examination Dates

Assessment body Uganda National Examinations Board (Uneb) has announced examination dates for the 2022 candidate classes.

According to a statement released by Uneb executive secretary Dan Odongo, Primary Leaving Examinations (PLE) will start on November 07 and end on November 09.

Uganda Certificate of Education UCE (UCE) exams will begin on October 14 and end on November 18.

A-level exams (Uganda Advanced Certificate of Education – UACE) papers will start on November 18 and end on December 09.