Shocking news coming to our desk indicate that, a suspect has died in police custody in Masindi, Uganda, sparking outrage and calls for investigation. This incident is the latest in a string of similar cases that have plagued the Uganda Police Force.

And this incident happens in Masindi this time, it’s the Masindi police under fire after a 37-year-old man died while in custody for allegedly stealing Shs980,000. The man, identified as Patrick Mujuni, was arrested on Sunday and found dead in his cell just a few days later.

His brother claims Mujuni was healthy when arrested and suspects foul play, alleging “severe torture” at the hands of the police. Understandably, the family is demanding answers, urging the Professional Standards Unit to investigate the Masindi police.

While the police have not released many details, the Albertine region spokesperson Julius Allan Hakiza confirmed an investigation into the cause of death is underway. In a statement, he added to inform that the cause of this death in custody was not yet established by press time as he was waiting for the investigation report.

“We are informed about the death of a suspect in custody identified as Patrick Mujuni who was detained on Sunday and he died from custody days after. We are yet to establish the cause of his death as Investigations are ongoing into the matter and we are waiting for the report” Julius Allan Hakiza stated.

Sadly, this isn’t an isolated incident. Cases of deaths in Uganda Police Force custody are tragically common in Uganda, raising serious questions about police conduct and the safety of detainees.

In a shocking incident in Uganda, a soldier James Tolit Opio, allegedly shot and killed his boss, an Indian national, over a pay dispute before turning the gun on himself. This happened today Friday as the soldier felt it was enough of his boss working for free.

While at a construction site in Namasale Town Council, Amolatar District, the gruesome act happened and thus sending shockwaves through the community. The soldier, identified as Private James Tolit Opio, 38, was assigned to guard the site of Royal Velko Joint Venture Ltd, a company contracted for a water pipe system project.

Opio reportedly complained to his fellow guards about insufficient allowances. He then confronted his boss, 41-year-old Thirumalesh Itikala, the site engineer and manager, shooting him in the chest while Itikala was on the phone.

It is reported that after this, he then fled the scene but tragically took his own life shortly after. Both men were pronounced dead at Amolatar Health Center IV. Police are investigating the incident, urging better communication and problem solving in the workplace.

This tragic event shows the critical need for open dialogue between employers and employees, particularly in high-stress environments. Remember, this is not the first time such is happening, as many bosses have lost their lives due to their guards due to payment disputes.

A German investor Christian Arndt is claiming that he was scammed out of $1.5 million in a sophisticated gold scheme involving forged documents, a prominent lawyer, and even a member of Uganda’s First Family. This came in as a shocker but hey, it is true the unsuspecting investor was scammed in Uganda.

Christian Arndt, a former Tullow Oil employee, alleges he was lured into a series of fraudulent gold deals that left him broke and fearing for his safety. He claims a web of con artists, including lawyer Peters K Musoke, orchestrated the scam, using fake export permits and promises of massive gold shipments from the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Arndt continues to say that he was initially introduced to the scheme through a friend and was enticed by the promise of large gold consignments. He claims he even met with a member of Uganda’s First Family, who reassured him about the legitimacy of the deals.

However, after numerous delays, forged documents, and escalating demands for money, Christian Arndt realised he had been duped. He later on embarked on the journey of getting justice and recover his hard earned cash that was put in the hands of the greedy Ugandans.

This is not the first case of its kind in Uganda, as many investors have been dupped by Ugandans a case in point in SK Mbuga who was even sent to jail in Dubai because of the same. There is a growing problem of gold scams in Uganda, particularly those targeting foreign investors.

These sophisticated gold scam schemes often involve high-ranking officials and exploit the country’s reputation as a regional gold trading hub. Christian Arndt has reported the alleged scam to Uganda’s State House Anti-Corruption Unit and is seeking justice for the financial and emotional distress he has endured.

The Minister of Finance Matia Kasaija has dissolved the board of directors of Uganda Investment Authority (UIA), Chimp Corps report.

The Minister earlier this week wrote to the UIA, informing the board that he had terminated its term of office.

A new board is now being set up to run the investment authority, according to informed officials.

Both Matia and his junior in charge of Investment, Evelyne Anite, were not available for comment on Tuesday evening. Aides said they were attending a meeting.

The UIA board chairman, Morris Rwakakamba today announced on X platform that his tenure had come to an end.

“Today marks the end of my tenure as Chairman of Uganda Investment Authority. I am so thankful to President Museveni for the opportunity to serve and Ministers of Finance, Board and staff of ⁦UIA for the support,” said Rwakakamba.

Rwakamba joined the UIA Board six years ago, first as a member and Chairman of the Board’s Investment Promotion and Public Relations Committee (IPPRC).

In June 2021 when the then Chairman, Dr. Emely Kugonza, left to join parliament, President Yoweri replaced him (Kugonza) with Rwakakamba, a role he played till today (three years and three months).
Header advertisement

UIA said in a statement that despite Rwakakamba taking the reins at UIA amidst the COVID-19 pandemic which disrupted business, investments, and people’s way of life, he, in concert with the management and staff, not only ensure business continuity but also superintended various initiatives to “bring business, investments and the economy back”.

“In the financial year 2021/22, his first year as Chairman, licensed investments stood at 395, up from 256 in the previous year (2019/2020). Planned investments rose to $1,864,931,126 billion, up from $830,604,485 million in the previous year, while planned direct jobs upped to 43,442, from 25,762 the previous year,” said UIA today.

ChimpReports understands that two board members – Angelo Izama and Beatrice Mpairwe – whose contracts were recently renewed, also had their new terms of office terminated by Kasaija.

“The two (Angelo and Mpairwe) had just been reappointed to serve another term but a letter came from Kasaija saying they had to go,” said a source, adding, “The last few months have been turbulent for the authority – in their (Finance Ministry) wisdom, this is what they have decided.”
UIA board members (Source: UIA Website/October 1, 2024)

Clashes

UIA’s Investment Code grants the Minister of Finance powers to dissolve the board.

However, in his letter, Kasaija did not provide reasons for his decision.

Nevertheless, the dissolution of the board comes amid a clash between Anite and UIA Executive Director Robert Mukiza.

The duo clashed over counter accusations of corruption.

On her part, Anite accused Mukiza of authorising and benefiting from Shs 545m honoraria granted to UIA officials who supervised construction works at Namanve Industrial Park.

Anite said the honoraria was drawn from a loan secured by the government for the park’s development.

In his defence, Mukiza said the UIA staff were enumerated for their ‘additional responsibilities’ during the supervision of the infrastructure works following the termination of the Owner’s Engineer (OE) on August 29, 2022.

Mukiza said the honoraria was approved by the UIA board.

The UIA ED also told President Museveni that Anite had a ‘personal interest’ in the acquisition of land for the establishment of a solid waste water treatment plant, SME park and campsite in Namanve.

Anite denied the accusations, saying meetings held with the UIA Management and the Board of Directors agreed on actions to be taken on acquisition of the land and nominated a team to negotiate its purchase.

Observers have warned that these dramatic scenes covered widely by the media threaten to tarnish Uganda’s investment climate.

In May 2024, UIA’s Deputy Director General, Paul Kyalimpa, resigned to “undertake professional training for more than one year, that requires intense concentration and dedication.”

A soldier shot himself dead in Kaabong, Uganda, after a heated argument with a colleague over a guest house attendant. The incident occurred at the Korimong Guest House where Pte David Wabule, stationed at the nearby Longoromit Battalion Headquarters, found his lover with a fellow soldier.

The woman in question is identified as Lucky Auma, who worked at the guest house. The shooting events unfolded later on in a very ugly manner that sparked a lot of question sin the neighborhood. Here is how it went down.

Pte David Wabule reportedly enraged by the sight of Auma and found her standing with Pte Ngabirano Gerald Akampulira, he consequently confiscated Akampulira’s phone and went off. He returned to the guest house after a few minutes armed with an AK-47 rifle and opened fire, aiming for Auma his wife and two other colleagues who had sought refuge in a separate room.

Thankfully, he missed on his targets, and within a twist of events, Wabule instead turned the gun on himself, and unalived himself. Military officials have launched an investigation into the incident. Maj Isaac Oware, spokesperson for the 3rd Division, confirmed the recovery of the weapon and expressed regret over the “misconduct”.

Local police are also conducting inquiries, with Auma and two other soldiers currently in custody.

A shocking new study has revealed a disturbing trend in Katakwi District, Uganda, where gender-based violence (GBV) is spiraling out of control. The culprit? Poverty and school dropouts, which experts say are creating a perfect storm for violence against women and girls.

Katakwi District now tops the list for GBV cases in the Teso and Karamoja regions, with a staggering 3,345 cases reported between April 2023 and March 2024. This alarming figure has sparked urgent calls for action from local leaders and human rights organisations.

Betty Angiro, a Senior Probation Officer in Katakwi, spoke to The Monitor about the factors driving this horrific trend. “Most of the cases are a result of rising school dropout rates and poverty, which often lead to forced marriages and subsequent GBV, largely due to financial insecurity,” she explained.

Adding another layer to the issue, Angiro pointed out that government poverty alleviation programmes, while well-intentioned, have inadvertently exacerbated the problem. “In many instances, men have assaulted women to take control of funds meant to empower them,” she added.

The link between poverty and GBV is further underscored by Soroti Member of Parliament, Jonathan Ebwala, who stated, “If we don’t get out of poverty, GBV will continue in the region.” He highlighted that Karamoja is the poorest district in the region, followed by Iteso and Bukeddi areas, painting a grim picture of the challenges faced by these communities.

This crisis isn’t just about physical violence; it’s also impacting the health and futures of young girls. The Center for Health, Human Rights, and Development (CEHURD) revealed that poor menstrual hygiene is contributing to school dropouts and increasing the risk of GBV. Girls forced to leave school due to period stigma often face limited prospects and become vulnerable to exploitation and abuse.

In a nutshell, Katakwi District is facing a multi-faceted crisis where poverty, lack of education, and inadequate healthcare are fueling a horrifying surge in GBV. The situation demands immediate and comprehensive action to address the root causes and protect the most vulnerable members.

Father Damian Grimes, the former headmaster of Namasagali College who left an indelible mark on Uganda’s educational landscape, will be laid to rest in a state-honored funeral. He passed away peacefully at the age of 93 in Liverpool, England on September 4, 2024.

Summary:

• The body of Father Damian Grimes, the former headmaster of Namasagali College who passed away on September 4th, is being flown back to Uganda for burial.
• The Ugandan government, in conjunction with the Mill Hill Missionaries and the Namasagali College Alumni Association, have planned a series of events to honor his legacy.

In a gesture of respect for his contribution to the nation, the Ugandan government has decided to repatriate his body from the United Kingdom. This decision is a testament to the impact Father Damian Grimes had on generations of students during his tenure as headmaster of Namasagali College from 1967 to 2000.

Father Grimes’ journey began at the young age of 17 when he joined the Mill Hill Missionaries. He was subsequently posted to Uganda, where he began his teaching career at Namilyango College. After serving for seven years and rising to the position of deputy headteacher, he took the helm at Namasagali College.

Under his leadership, Namasagali College flourished, gaining recognition not just for academic excellence but also for its vibrant extracurricular activities. Known for his courage and progressive approach to education, Father Grimes encouraged students to explore their talents in music, dance, and drama.

He instilled a strict policy against bullying, ensuring that Namasagali College stood apart as a beacon of peace and mutual respect. Unlike many institutions at the time, the school never experienced student strikes during his tenure.

To honor this extraordinary educator, a series of events have been planned to mark his final journey home. His body will arrive at Entebbe International Airport on Thursday, September 26th, aboard Kenya Airways flight KQ at 9 am.

Upon arrival, an artiste salutation will be held at the National Theatre in Kampala, hosted by the Uganda National Cultural Centre and the Uganda Centre of International Theatre Institute, starting at 2 pm. A celebration of his life mass, officiated by Rev Daniel Oryem, will then be held at the Protea Hotel starting at 5 pm.

The funeral proceedings will continue on Friday, September 27th, with a requiem mass at Munyonyo Basilica in Kampala, starting at 10 am. This will be followed by another requiem mass at Rubaga Cathedral in Jinja, officiated by Mill Hill Fathers, starting at 3 pm.

Following the mass, Father Grimes’s casket will be taken to the Busoga Lukiko in Bugembe, where the Speaker, Rt Hon George Mutyabule, and members of the Lukiko will hold a special sitting in his honor starting at 5 pm.

In a fitting tribute, Father Grimes’ final resting place will be at the Saint Damian Grimes Chapel at Namasagali College in Kamuli district. Before the interment ceremony on Saturday, a funeral Mass will be held at the college, starting at 11:00 am, presided over by Rt Rev Charles Martin Wamika, Bishop of Jinja Diocese. The burial is scheduled to commence at 2 pm.

MORE: Government Asks Foreigners to Leave the Prostitution Industry to Ugandans

The outpouring of grief and the elaborate funeral arrangements stand as a testament to the profound impact Father Damian Grimes had on Uganda. He will be remembered not just as a headmaster, but as a mentor, a leader, and a father figure to many.