NEBBI DISTRICT HOSTS NATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY CELEBRATIONS ON 8TH MARCH 2012.

The National Women’s day Celebration was held in Nebbi District on the 8^th March 2012 under the Theme “Inspiring Girls, Connecting their Futures”.

The celebration was attended by a number of dignitaries which included Ministers, Members of Parliament, Political leaders, Religious and Cultural leaders, Delegations from Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda, Heads of Institutions, Representatives from West Nile Districts and other parts of the Country, Women, Men, Boys and Girls from different sub counties of Nebbi District. The celebration was presided over by the President of Uganda H.E Yoweri Kaguta Museveni at Nebbi Secondary School grounds.

The Occasion was marked with a number of activities which included marching by women in forces (Police, Army and Prisons), school girls and representatives of women groups. There were exhibitions and entertainment by different groups.

It was also an opportunity to demand and remind the President about power supply for West Nile region which is also a concern raised by the Citizens in the Citizens’ Manifesto. This was presented by the Local Council V Chairperson of Nebbi Mr. Okumu Robert Arule requesting for West Nile region to be connected to the National power Grid. Other priorities raised were the need for water and educational infrastructure like stored classroom blocks due to land shortage for expansion in schools. The Local Council I Chairperson of Oryang village Mr. Mwalimu Othembi in his speech stated that “the issue of water is a right not something to be demanded for” and noted that water crisis in his area was affecting education of the girl child since they have to spend time fetching water for domestic use.

The President while addressing the public said that the West Nile power demand was still low and consuming only 2.5 mega watts yet to be connected to the National grid would need a demand of 7.5 mega watts. According to the President, the 3.3 mega watts that will be supplied from Nyagak would suffice for West Nile while Moyo and Adjumani would be connected to the grid and get their power supply from Gulu. At this point the President asked the State Minister for Energy and Mineral Resources, Hon. Simon Dujanga to assure the people on when the Nyagak power project would be completed. In response, the Minster explained that the machines in Nyagak were being tested and would soon be launched.

The same occasion was also used to launch the Senior Citizen Scheme Project, to unveil the foundation stone for Nebbi Women’s Development Centre and award medals to outstanding women and men for their contributions to the Nation.

Truck plunges in Ala stream (Arua district) leaving 23 dead.

On the fateful evening of 06/03/2012, a truck ferrying passengers mainly business men and women returning from a market in Zeu (Zombo District) and heading to Arua town plunged into Ala stream (Vurra Sub County in Arua) after a section of the bridge mainly built with timber gave way. Ala stream has been used to generate mini hydro power to supply Kuluva Hospital. As a result of the accident, the water in the reservoir was drained off to enable the well wishers rescue the survivors and remove the dead. This has also affected the power supply to Kuluva hospital.

The truck that was loaded with merchandise (beans, bananas, maize, timber e.t.c) had over 30 passengers. By 9.00 am (07/03/2012) the death toll had risen to 23 as the search for other victims continued. The dead were transported to Kuluva Hospital and later transferred to Arua referral Hospital Mortuary for identification by their relatives meanwhile the injured were rushed to Kuluva hospital for medical attention.

The poor state of roads and bridges has been one of the concerns raised in the Citizens Manifesto by citizens in West Nile and this calls for action by the relevant authorities before more lives are claimed.

Moyo Citizens’ demonstrate over border dispute with South Sudan

One of the issues for West Nile region raised in the Citizens’ Manifesto was border conflicts with neighbouring districts and countries which need to be resolved. The Members of Parliament from the Parliamentary Committee on Presidential and Foreign Affairs went on a fact- finding mission in Moyo District on the border conflicts with South Sudan over an area in Lefori Sub County (Moyo District). The team that included Members of Parliament and Moyo District leaders were held hostage by a local Administrator in Kajo-Keji County (South Sudan) for some hours on 01/03/2012. This particular incidence of detaining the leaders angered the ordinary citizens in Moyo and some were overheard saying “if our leaders can be handled like that, how about we the ordinary citizens”. To express their bitterness, the citizens on Saturday 03/03/2012 took to the streets of Moyo town, blocked the road to Kajo-Keji, attempted to storm the hospital looking for sick Sudanese, attempted to break into shops belonging to Sudanese nationals, burnt tyres and fought running battles with anti –riot police. This caused the Management of Moyo hospital, shops and clinics to remain closed while Police tried to restore order.

BLOODY BORDER CONFLICT BETWEEN ADJUMANI AND AMURU DISTRICTS

On 30/01/2012 residents from Amuru district invaded Itirikwa Sub County, in Zoka Parish, Adjumani District and left five residents injured with one nursing a broken leg in Adjumani Hospital.

Mr. Barugo Anthony on his hospital bed in Adjumani Hospital

Mr. Barugo Anthony narrated his ordeal on 6/2/2012 as below.

“I was resting under the shade on the fateful day and found myself surrounded by people who wanted to tie me but when I resisted they started beating me. Due to the spirited resistance I put, one of them armed with an axe hit me twice on the leg, broke it and left me helpless. Those who came were estimated to be around 200 people armed with machetes, axes, spears, arrows and bows and guns. They picked my phone, a carpet, one sack of simsim, approximately two sacks of millet and blankets. They wanted to go with me, but when I questioned where? They replied that I had settled on their land in Amuru District and according to them the boundary is Zoka River.

The attackers then went and set my neighbor’s house on fire and arrested him, they destroyed his passion fruits, pawpaw tree, and raided everything in the house. They demanded that we should register our presence with them since we are settled on their land in Amuru District. What I know is that the border is Soro River which is very far from where we settled.”

Since I was admitted in Adjumani hospital nobody has taken the responsibility of helping me except a friend called Wilson Adu who gave me some money for support. The district officials who visited me said they will first sit for a meeting and see how they are going to support me. Since then, I have never received any feedback.

Action by Adjumani District Authorities

Following the attack, the District leaders and Security operatives held a meeting with the affected community and promised to demand for establishment of an army detach in that area so that security is beefed up while they follow up the matter for discussion in Parliament. In attendance were: Major Abiriga Mahmod, District Police Commander - Adjumani District among others.