Author: Robert Atuhairwe

Hoima is a city bustling with activity, having neatly paved roads, storeyed buildings and gentrification due to treasurer hunters attracted by speculation of opportunities presented by oil finds in the Albertine Graben. However, the city’s glitter is increasingly being dampened by the stinking environs, especially behind Wright Road, Main Streets, Kiganda and Kiryatete suburbs where business owners wear a permanent frown about the poor state of the overflowing sewage out of the lines. At Hoima central market, human excrement pours uncontrollably into the streets and sometimes when it rains, it ends up polluting the streams and rivers. Experts warn that…

Empaako is used in Bunyoro for greeting and culturally, it is ludicrous that one would call one’s neighbour by their formal name. On first interaction, you are asked: What is your empaako” while kneeling if you are a woman and bending for a man. Whatever the time of the day, empaako is a must use. Oraire ota (good morning), Osibire ota (good evening), is often followed by empaako of whoever is being greeted. The respondent, echoes the person’s empaako: “Ndaire kurungi, Akiiki (its good morning, Akiiki), Nsibire kurungi, Adyeeri (my afternoon is fine, Adyeeri). Empaako, are also used when addressing…

Prince John Apollo Rwamparo, Second Deputy Prime Minister of the Bunyoro-Kitara Kingdom, expressed deep concern over the recent demolition of Haibale rock in Kigorobya sub-county, Hoima district, Western Uganda. This significant rock formation fell victim to the extraction of aggregate stones during the construction of a 110-kilometre Hoima-Buliisa-Wanseko road, aimed at facilitating oil production. Haibale rock holds a unique connection to the historical and renowned Kibiro hot spring, which is believed to source its hot water from this very rock. In Graam Connah’s Memoir 13 at the British Institute in Eastern Africa, it is described as an impressive natural feature,…

Uganda’s longest-lasting music ensemble, Afrigo Band, will for the first time perform live in Hoima. The show is organised by Sweet Dorcus Promotions in conjunction with Bunyoro-Kitara Kingdom as part of celebrations to mark the 29th Empango (coronation) anniversary of Omukama Solomon Gafabusa Iguru. Empango is the first ritual the Omukama (King) performs as he is being crowned. Iguru the 27th King under the Babiito dynasty first performed the ritual on June 11, 1994, following the restoration of kingdoms by the National Resistance Movement government. Since then, empango has been marked annually in Bunyoro-Kitara Kingdom at the king’s palace in Hoima City and usually characterised by a…

At the front gate near the main entrance, a waste spilling cesspool warns of surprises awaiting a first time visitor inside Hoima regional referral hospital perimeter. Once a model healthcare facility, faultless and immaculate, it has become a veritable shadow of its former self. Residents are struggling for access to quality healthcare. This has been due to low funding, staff shortage, negligence by staff, and lack of supplies, coupled with low bed capacity. This has birthed a growing dissatisfaction among residents who wait for days to be treated. “It (hospital) is worthy to be classed as an ailing healthcare machine,…

Uganda Martyrs Women Football Club emerged winners of the TotalEnergies EP Uganda 2023 Buliisa Football Mini-League finals. The pulsating finals were played on Saturday at Ndandamire Primary School playground. Uganda Martyrs Women FC beat Nyamukuta Women Football Club by 1-0 to win the pioneer women’s league trophy. This is the first time Uganda Martyrs Women have participated and won the Mini-League, taking home the same cash prize of sh4m, as the winning goal was scored by Sheillar Tingira For the men’s league Bugoigo Leopards FC beat Paraa Simba FC by 2-0 to win the trophy with the winning goals scored…

The bodies of two Ugandan fishermen who died on Lake Albert have been retrieved following a boat accident. The deceased fishermen have been identified as Dogu, 40 and Mukiga, 35. The two were attached to Kamina landing site in Buhuka village, Kyangwali sub-county, Kikuube district. They lost their lives on Tuesday (May 9) morning at 2am after their fishing boat on which they were sailing to do fishing was hit by strong winds forcing it capsize. They sounded an alarm in vein since the fishermen who were on the lake at the time delayed to reach them to save their…

Joan Orombi, a resident of Jupayiki village in Goli-Erussi sub-county, Nebbi district, opened a two-acre piece of land to plant maize in the ongoing season of March-July. Orombi, a mother of four, did not plant on time over delay to get improved seeds as she lacked the money. She went for saved seeds, buying a kilogram at sh1,800 from produce stores, a price that had increased from sh1,000 two months ago. Orombi who needed 60 kilograms per acre spent sh216,000 despite warnings by agronomists that the saved seed varieties are not suitable because they don’t yield much and are prone…

The Buliisa Football Mini-League 2023 has resumed after a 3-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 and Ebola outbreaks. The League which is sponsored by TotalEnergies EP Uganda (TEPU) a firm managing Tilenga Oil Project, is being conducted in partnership with the Federation of Uganda Football Association (FUFA) and the Buliisa District Football Association (DFA). The mini-league kicked off on Saturday-April 29, and has attracted 96 football teams, 26 of which are women teams for the first time in history. “Diversity is very important for TotalEnergies and women inclusion in this mini league demonstrating our commitment to boost gender empowerment in…

Bunyoro-Kitara Kingdom on April 6, celebrated 100 years since the death of Omukama Chwa II Kabaleega. The main function was held at Buyanja Secondary School, Kibaale Town Council, Kibaale district, a place where he was enthroned and also the burial place of his father- Omukama Kamurasi Mirundi Kyebambe IV, who reigned from 1822-1869. The day was celebrated with a launch of a book written by Isaac Kalembe who is also the Omutalindwa (Speaker) of Rukurato (Parliament) of the kingdom about Kabaleega’s successes and challenges during his 28-year reign over Bunyoro. In the book titled: “Omukama Chwa II Kabaleega: A life…