Uganda Prisons Service (UPS), in partnership with Penal Reform International and the Embassy of the Netherlands Kingdom in Uganda, has launched a specialized training program for prison officers on gender-sensitive and human rights approaches in managing women in prison.

The five-day training, currently underway at Belmont Hotel in Mbale, brings together 20 prison officers from various stations in the Eastern Region, including those from women’s prisons, reception officers, social workers, and medical personnel.

Mr. Baker Asinjah, Commissioner of Prisons (Human Resource Planning and Development) representing the Commissioner General of Prisons, emphasized the importance of safety measures in prisons, including surveillance systems, security personnel, access control, inmate classification, emergency response plans, inmate searches, crisis interventions, medical and mental health services, staff training, intelligence gathering, and perimeter security fencing.

The training focuses on the effective management, human-rights based approach and rehabilitation of women prisoners, considering factors such as risk and needs assessment, custody levels, housing, gender-responsive programs, mental health support, substance abuse treatment, education, job training, family support, healthcare, training informed care, and re-integration planning.

Notably, UPS currently has 3,700 female inmates in custody stationed in 19 prison units nationwide and is committed to providing special services and considerations in compliance with international standards.

Women prisoners in Uganda receive tailored support in a safe, secure, and humane correctional environment, including separate housing, gender-sensitive programs, vocational training and access to healthcare and education.

The program aims to enhance the skills of prison officers in managing different categories of female prisoners, promoting their rehabilitation and reintegration.

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Makerere University’s College of Computing and Information Sciences is set to host the first-ever Microsoft Azure Certifications Boot Camp from September 7th to 8th, 2024.

The two-day event, organized by the Centre for Innovations and Professional Skills Development, aims to equip participants with hands-on experience in Microsoft Azure and cloud computing.

The boot camp is open to university students and members of the public interested in starting a career in Microsoft Azure and cloud computing. Participants will engage in practical exercises designed to simulate real-world scenarios, ensuring they gain hands-on experience.

Microsoft Azure is a public cloud computing platform that offers a range of services, including storage, networking, analytics, and virtual computing. The platform is widely used by individuals, companies, and governments globally.

The demand for skilled cloud professionals is increasing as businesses migrate to the cloud. Azure certification can validate skills and knowledge in the cloud domain, setting participants apart in a competitive job market.

“The boot camp is designed to provide participants with a comprehensive understanding of Microsoft Azure and its applications,” said Barbara Nalubega, Head of the Centre for Innovations and Professional Skills Development.

She added, “We are excited to offer this opportunity to our students and the public, and we believe it will be a valuable asset in their future careers.”

Registration for the boot camp is ongoing, with a fee of Shs50,000. Participants who attend the boot camp will receive a discount on the full Azure training course starting immediately after the event.

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The trial of Molly Katanga, the prime suspect in the murder of her husband Henry Katanga, has failed to kick off due to Internet glitches.

The trail was expected to kick off today after a one-month hiatus.

Molly was supposed to follow the proceedings from Luzira women’s prison via Zoom because she could not sit in court for long hours. The judiciary could not link Molly on Zoom over difficulties.

Prosecution was set to introduce the 7^th witness, Richard Ambayo, a pathologist who examined Katanga’s body. Justice Isaac Muwata adjourned the matter to tomorrow.

Molly Katanga is accused of killing her husband, Henry Katanga. The businessman was allegedly shot dead by his wife on November 2, 2023, at their home in Mbuya, Nakawa Division, Kampala City.

Molly is charged alongside her two daughters, Martha Nkwanzi and Patricia Kakwanza; George Amanyire, a shamba boy; and Charles Otai, a health worker.

Nkwanzi and Kakwanza are accused of tampering with evidence at the crime scene, rendering it unidentifiable for judicial proceedings. Amanyire and Charles Otai, a health worker, are accused of assisting others involved in the crime.

In February, the four were granted Shs2 million in cash bail while their sureties were bonded at Shs20 million and ordered to surrender their passports.

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Gulu City is set to host the inaugural regional parliament sitting this month. Revelation was made by Chris Obore, the Director of Communications at Parliament.

The northern regional sitting is scheduled for August 28-30 at Kuanda Grounds, Bardege-Layibi division in Gulu City. Other settings will follow in Masaka, Mbale, and Mbarara cities. The regional sittings are aimed at creating a people-centred parliament.

The land question in Apaa, the Karuma bridge, the border concerns, the cattle rustling, the parish development model (PDM), and Myoga sagas by technical persons and politicising government programs are expected to take centre stage.

According to Obore, regional sittings will be a normal parliament sitting; however, some MPs have motions regarding issues in northern Uganda, and those motions will lead to resolutions of parliament.

“Parliament buses will be used for transport, but those who will choose to drive personal cars will be free to do so. Regarding sectoral committee meetings, it will depend on the proceedings of the House, but the focus will be plenary,” Obore said.

Last week the Deputy Speaker, Thomas Tayebwa, defended parliament’s decision to hold regional sittings, noting that the Speaker under Rule 7 of the Rules of Procedure has the general authority to determine where a sitting will take place.

“That is why we used to go to Serena and Kololo. I don’t remember when we had a motion to first debate. Our role will be to ensure that we bring everyone on board,” he said.

Tayebwa refuted media reports that Parliament will spend Shs5 billion for the regional sitting in Gulu City; however, he didn’t reveal the actual amount that will be spent on the regional sittings.

“When we are making statements, we should be very conscious. For example, I don’t think we are spending Shs5 billion for the proposed sitting.”

“I am excited to connect with the communities in the northern part of the country during the Gulu Sittings 2024. Years after the guns fell silent, it’s important to assess the reconstruction programs and hear the perspectives of our people across the region,” speaker Among said earlier today.

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The Uganda Police is deeply concerned about the ongoing incidents of mob justice and urges the public to uphold the principle of presumption of innocence for suspects and to allow the opportunity for conducting proper interrogations.

The warning follows rising incidents of mob justice in different parts of the country.

ACP Kituuma Rusoke, PRO- Police revealed that on August 13, 2024, in Kijungu Cell, Kakoba Ward, Kakoba Division, Mbarara City, a man named Ddungu Amidu was lynched by a mob after he was found in possession of two stolen and slaughtered goats. Police arrived at the scene, collected the body, and transported it to Mbarara Hospital Mortuary for a postmortem examination. Investigations into the incident are ongoing.

Rusoke added that on August 14, 2024, between 1:30 am and 4:00 am in Kibubu Village, Buikwe District, five suspects—Sunday Swaleh Ricky, John (now deceased), Fahad, Emma, and Shadrach Magere—were allegedly involved in the theft of two cows. While transporting the meat on two motorcycles, one of which was registered as UXZ 656P, they experienced a puncture and stopped at Metha Sugarcane Plantation. Observers became suspicious of their gunny bags, believing they contained stolen items. When approached for questioning, the suspects fled into the plantation, prompting a chase by the crowd, which resulted in the arrest of two individuals: the deceased John and Shadrach Magere.

“They were beaten by the mob, but police intervened and rushed them to Kawolo Hospital, where unfortunately, John succumbed to his injuries. The mob continued to search for the remaining suspects, even setting fires in an attempt to flush them out. Sunday Swaleh Ricky was eventually cornered and sought refuge with police officers, leading to his arrest and subsequent detention at CPS Lugazi,” he said.

He added that on the same day, at approximately 5:00 am in Naziga Cell, Kyengera Town Council, Wakiso District, a man named Sekamate John was attacked by a mob that suspected him of theft. Sekamate was found in possession of a hammer and other tools commonly used for breaking and entering. The police intervened to rescue him from being lynched and quickly transported him to Mulago Hospital for medical treatment.

In the Elgon Region, police say they recorded another incident of mob justice. On August 16, 2024, a case was reported to the police involving mob action on Kufu Bukaweka Road in Muki Village, Habutola Sub-County, Manafwa District.

“It is alleged that the deceased, Edwin James Wamutibi, a 30-year-old resident of Bumwangu Ward in Manafwa Town Council, stole a motorcycle with registration number KMFB 463F from Namisindwa District and attempted to sell it to an individual known as Matembu. The motorcycle was being sold at Malwa Joint, owned by Walter Wamagale, a local councilor. While the buyer and seller were negotiating, the rightful owners of the motorcycle, who had been tracking Wamutibi, confronted him. Upon seeing the owners, Wamutibi fled, abandoning the motorcycle,” he reported.

The crowd that had been pursuing him chased him to Kufu along Bukhaweka Road, where he was stoned to death. His body was later found lying by the roadside. After the attack, the assailants fled the scene, leaving the motorcycle behind. The police transported the body to the mortuary in Mbale City and seized the motorcycle as evidence. Investigations are ongoing.

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