The Curse of a City: Goons and Insecurity

The Curse of a City: Goons and Insecurity

Emmy Daniel Ojara

zaagulu@gmail.com

 

The pressure of mounting insecurity within Gulu City to-be has dramatically sent leaders and security officers into panic and fighting each other.

 

Street gangs described as ‘’Aguu’’ in an idiomatic Acholi dialect has terrorized the major streets of Gulu, first their prey was the business community and revelers who trek night long doing their different wishes.

 

But in a rather unpredictable twist, the ‘’Aguu’’ has turned to hunt for local leaders within the vividly city like town. In June this year Jino Otti a local chairperson for Industrial area in Layibi Division nearly had his head chopped off by the gangs.

 

Not so late in the night but rather close to day fall at around 20:00 hours armed security personnels composed of police and the army wrestled with the goons to restore sanity at Industrial area and rescue the business community.

 

The group of young boys aged not above 25 years and over one hundred in numbers armed with pangas, machetes, metallic bars, housebreaking equipment and clubs stormed Industrial area chanting for the blood of Jino Otti and his executives.

 

The group formed in a militia-like executed havocs on roadside businesses along Ring Road, Gulu`s major road constructed under World Bank`s Project of the Uganda Support to Municipal for Infrastructural Development-USMID. The road has several bright street lights at all ends and one could be identified even from a distance.

 

They later progressed to the office of Jino which is along the road and destroyed all office documents. They vocalized that the area local authorities had wreaked war against them by forming a local vigilante group which punished them in a bid to curb insecurity in the area.

 

The curfew lasted over an hour and half until armed security personnels thronged the scene and fired live bullets to rescue the situation, 23 of them were arrested and taken to Gulu Central Police Station and later remanded to Gulu Central Prison by Gulu magistrate court.

http://www.acholitimes.com/2019/06/23/in-gulu-aguu-storm-industrial-area-demand-for-head-of-lc1-chairman/

Police says the arrest was one step to contain insecurity in the upcoming city, Patrick Jimmy Okema the Aswa river region police spokesperson quoted that routine night patrols were being conducted to execute more arrests.

23 Gulu Youth Charged With Conspiracy to Commit Felony, Threatening Violence

But the environment for leadership in the upcoming city has seemingly become difficult since the hunter has become the hunted.

 

The local leaders say they are in deep fear for their lives and family members so they are seeking security protection at their homes now that they have become targets of attack by the goons.

Gulu Local Leaders Seek Police Protection From Thugs

Police record indicates several cases of housebreaking, highway robberies, substance abuse, murder and theft within Gulu municipality. This has been witnessed by the murder of former Gulu Municipal deputy town clerk John Oola, former Gulu University lecturer Andrew Rachkara and several attacks on media personalities.

 

Looking back at Uganda`s Capital City, Kampala, government, civil society, security and human right bodies have in vain sought to get rid of street kids (goons at a later stage) from the city streets but no effort has yielded fruit.

 

Crimes continue to be witnessed in the city yet in the rural setting such scenes were scarce. The question of the day now becomes that are the new municipalities elevated to city statuses ready for the city curse????

 

Before his dropping as Inspector General of Police, Gen. Kale Kayihura camped in Gulu town to tighten security following increased attacks by iron bar wielding men but nothing changed in the long run.

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Uganda`s Fate and Hepatitis B

Uganda`s Fate and Hepatitis B

By Emmy Daniel Ojara

 

In Northern Uganda, the Uganda People`s Defence Force-UPDF in July 2019 recruited 242 veterans for a mission to the war-torn Somalia under African Union Mission in Somalia-AMISOM.

 

The recruits constitute the 30^th battle group since Uganda became part of the peace keeping mission in Somalia.

 

AMISON comprises of forces from Uganda, Burundi, Kenya, Sirra Leone, Ethiopia and Djibouti who are on a peace keeping mission.

 

The veterans were drawn from Gulu, Omoro, Oyam, Amuru, Nwoya and West Nile district which are under the Forth Division Army Infantry Barracks.

 

The division army spokesperson, Major Caesar Olweny says applicants were former army serving officers from the ranks on a major and below.

 

They must have honourably retired from the army, possessed retirement and discharge certificates and aged 55 years and below.

 

Olweny says the veterans overwhelmingly turn up for the recruitment through offices of their respective District Internal Security Officers-DISO but most of them were turn away on health grounds.

 

Turned away why???? Olweny explained that the veterans though at old age are physically and mentally fit but most of them have been eaten up by Hepatitis B disease.

 

‘’whenever we conduct recruitments we receive overwhelming numbers of applicants but the main problem is most of them have hepatitis B and they are unawre.’’ Olweny cried.

 

The army publicist said the case was witnessed among hundreds of the veterans who tested positive for hepatitis B by the recruitment medical team.

 

The case is not limited to HIV/AIDS, pressure and diabetes but worst with hepatitis B.

 

Veterans In Acholi Miss On AMISOM Recruitment On Health Grounds

The world annually commemorates hepatitis day on every 28^th of July.

 

A 2018 statistics from Ministry of Health Uganda shows that Uganda is one of the countries most affected by hepatitis B.

 

It indicate that 3.5 million (10% of population) are living with chronic hepatitis B infection. Karamoja has 23.9%, Northern Uganda 20.7% and Western Region 10.0%.

 

Globally nearly 1.4 million people are killed by the deadly disease according to Dr Ramya Raghavan a Consultant at Internal Medicine in Columbia Asia Hospital Whitefield.

 

He adds that nearly 300 million people live viral hepatitis unaware.

 

Medics describe hepatitis as an inflammatory condition of the liver; it can progress to liver fibrosis (scarring), cirrhosis or liver cancer.

 

Hepatitis B virus is a blood-borne virus which is caused by a viral infection. It transmits from person to person via blood or fluids contaminated with blood.

 

Experts say no medical is needed at an acute condition of hepatitis B. in case of symptoms like vomiting and diarrhoea more fluids and electrolytes have to be given to the patient.

 

The deadly disease can be prevented by not sharing sharp materials, avoiding unprotected sex.

 

Government of Uganda last year embarked on a mass hepatitis B vaccination across the country but later it was realised that fake vaccines had equally invaded health facilities.

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Lacor Hospital celebrates 60th anniversary.

UNANSWERED

By Allan Richard Odoch
Gulu

Opening as a small Hospital in 1959, St Mary’s Hospital Lacor (widely called “Lacor Hospital”) is today the largest Private Not For Profit Health institution in Uganda, with 554 beds and 659 local employees.

Founded by Monsignor Giovanni Battista Cesena, a Comboni Missionary and Bishop of Gulu, the Hospital today is owned by the registered trustees of Gulu Diocese.

One of the oldest buildings at Lacor hospital. Its now the Emergency unit.

This month, as it celebrates these past six decades with an anniversary celebration on Saturday, July 13, the hospital continues to look toward the future and what it means to be in line with its mission to provide health care to the needy and to fight diseases and poverty.

The maternity ward in the olden days

The hospital has witnessed tremendous growth over the years, from one that had about 30 beds and…

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Police cleans Gulu main market

Police cleans Gulu main market

By Emmy Danile Ojara

Gulu

Aswa region police spokesperson, Patrick Jimmy Okema said the activity is a social cooperate responsibility with the community who are the ears and eyes of the police.

 

Okema said the activity is a medium of police reconciliation with the community who have faulted police over incompetence, abuse of human rights and working in isolation. He added that police will rectify its faults by working closely with members of the community.

 

‘’police have been on spot over violations of human rights, we want to rectify this and build friendship with the community because police cannot work with the community.’’ Okema stated

Police week is being celebrated across the country; it started on Monday 27^th this week and expected to end of Monday next week. Various activities including cleaning of public institutions and blood donations are being done.

 

Okema noted that police looks to empower members of the community through protecting their rights and property and preventing crimes. He called on the public to liaise with the police and report crimes in the areas.

 

Tomorrow police march along Gulu town and donate blood at the Gulu Main Market to help people who want blood in the various health facilities across the region and hold a friendly football match with the media in Gulu town on Saturday.

 

Patrick Omaya the chairman Gulu main market applauded the police for choosing the main market for their activity.

He expressed happiness noting that this will build a good relationship between the market vendors and its customers with the police.

Reports by the human rights recently put police as the leading abusers of human rights and violations of freedom in Uganda.

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Media and civil societies training on Human rights.

Journalists in Northern Uganda and civil societies prepares to wind up their human Rights training at kakanyero Hotel in Gulu Town.

The Five days training was organised by East and Horn Of Africa Human Rights Defenders.

 

Digital online security, social media use and communications skills were the major themes of the training.

 

Thanks to EHARD

President donates Shs.30m to promote Nakayima Tree tourism site

 

President Yoweri Museveni has paid a visit to Nakayima Tourist Site in Mubende district to promote tourism.

The President took off time this morning to view the hills surrounding Nakayima tourist site before heading to Kibaale and Kakumiro districts in Bunyoro Sub-Region to campaign for the prospective Woman MP and LC5 leaders in the two districts.

President Museveni donated Shs.30 million to maintain and promote the tourist site.

The President also made stop overs in Mubende town’s Main Street and at St. Peter’s Technical Institute, where he greeted his supporters.

Amuru district offers land to open refugee camp in the district

 

 

Authorities in Amuru district has offered 4 square kilometres of land in the district for opening refugee camps in the district noting that it will prevent scattered settlement of refugees  in the district and avoid risks of contracting strange diseases.

 

 

Michael Lakony the Amuru district local government chairman told our reporter in an interview that the resolution was met yesterday on Tuesday during the district`s full council meeting when it was pushed by the district executive committee. The resolution according to the chairman will be sent this week to the office of the prime minister to send a team who will come and make assessments of the selected areas.

 

The LC5 says one square of kilometre of land was offered in Amuru Sub County, two square kilometres in Pabbo Sub County and one square kilometre in Attiak Sub County. He noted that his office had earlier written to the office of the prime minister and disaster preparedness asking them to set up a refugee camp in the district following scattered settlements of refugees especially from south Sudanese in the district whenever conflicts breaks in their country.

 

‘’ the district executive committee pushed that a refugee camp be opened, it was agreed by the full council. What we are waiting for is the assessment team from office of the prime minister to verify the areas.’’ Lakony said.

 

He stated that the district suffers insecurity and strange disease attacks that may arise from dotted settlements of refugees in the district. He noted that Amuru district is an immediate neighbouring district to south Sudan and whenever there is a conflict in its neighbouring country they receive overwhelming numbers of refugees who crosses to Amuru district.

 

He however noted that there are many advantages attached to opening a refugee camp in the district. He says there will be good health facilities which include mass immunisation against diseases, good schools, clean drinking water sources, good roads in the areas where the camps will be established.

 

‘’What will come when the camp is set up is water, school, hospital and good road to the area. As Lakony Michael I think this will help a lot and we will take our children to good schools.’’ He noted.

 

He noted that the district will hold talks with the land owners to reach terms and agreements before the camps are established.

Over 200 south Sudanese last month crossed over to Elegu border post in Uganda seeking asylum when an armed conflict broke out between President Salva Kiir and his deputy Riek Machar.

 

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Tsetse flies infests Gulu and Omoro district

 

Tsetse flies outbreak has been recorded in Gulu district with Patiko and Palaro Sub County the most affected areas.

The Gulu district entomologist, Acaye Alphonse confirmed the infestation naming that patiko, Awach, Unyama, the most affected sub counties within Gulu district. He adds that Odek and Koch ongako sub counties in Omoro district also have registered the insects’ infestation.

Alphonse said in an interview with our reporter from his office that the tsetse flies infestation was first registered in Gulu district along streams at Patiko Sub County in May this year before it spread to the said neighbouring sub counties within June and July. He however said over 300 tsetse flies traps have been deployed along the major streams within the affected sub counties, these tsetse flies traps help contain the spread of the insects.

He adds that they plan to deploy a total of 500 traps in the affected sub counties which are threats to breeding the deadly insects. The traps are treated with a highly toxic chemical called Glossinix amounting to 630.000.

According to Alphonse there was tsetse flies outbreak in Alokolum parish in Koch Ongako Sub County, Gulu district and 673 tsetse flies traps in the area.

The district entomologist cautioned people in the affected areas to avoid stealing the traps to help control tsetse flies outbreak.

Tsetse flies are insects which spread parasites that cause sleeping sickness. Sleeping sickness possess symptoms as fatigue, high fever, headaches, muscle aches and in worst cases causes death if not treated.

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Police impounds 97 vehicles, deregisters 45.

 

Aswa regional policed have impounded and deregistered 97 vehicles in aswa region in an operation to crack down to reduce traffic accidents and vehicles under poor mechanical conditions.

Patrick Jimmy Okema police spokesperson for Aswa region stated that the exercise carried out last week aimed at minimising death, injuries and destruction of properties along roads.

He adds that is also targeted to reduce on number of road accidents within Aswa region by machine operators on roads due to poor mechanical machine conditions, deter road users from committing traffic offences and punish offenders by issuing express penalty scheme tickets.

Okema revealed that 5.920.000 million shillings were raised from the express penalty scheme tickets which were issued by policed to the offenders and the money deposited in the accounts of Uganda revenue authority.

 

 

45 vehicles under poor mechanical conditions were deregistered and owners asked to repair, and bring to police inspector of vehicles before it could be reinstated back to operate on the road.

He warned motorcyclist boda boda operators within the region to ensure that they have all key requirements including helmets, third party insurance and permits while they ride to avoid falling victims.

24 vehicles were impounded from Amuru district, 8 from Kitgum, 41 from Gulu, 3 from Pader, 1 from Lamwo, 8 from Agago, 12 from Nwoya and none from Omoro district.

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President halts Nakawuka Health Centre workers on performance

President Yoweri Museveni has directed the Ministry of Health to immediately halt and take away the staff at Nakawuka Health Centre 111 over alleged non-performance resulting in poor service delivery to the people of the area.

“I want action on these people they are complained about. They should all go and new people should be brought in,” he said.

The President paid a visit to Nakawuka Health center 111 following complaints from residents on poor service delivery at the center.

“I have come so that you tell me what challenges you have,” he said.

Nakawuka Health Center 111 is located in Mpumudde village, Busiro East Constituency in Wakiso district. The Centre serves over eight parishes.

The residents of Nakawuka called on the President to urgently intervene over the poor service delivery by their leaders, especially in the health and education sectors, among others.

The people cited abseentism, stealing of government drugs, late coming and overcharging of students in schools, among other things.

President Museveni, who thanked the people for being alert and reporting what was on the ground, said that the government’s priority during this term, is service delivery to the people of Uganda.

“Thank you for pointing out these things concerning service delivery. This term is Hakuna Mchezo” he emphasized.

He called on the leaders to always supervise government programmes in their areas in order to achieve the desired targets. All the concerned Ministers of Health, Public Service and Local Government, were present. ENDS