Author: Peace Lawrence Ayesigwa

When the government of Uganda introduced the Teachers’ Effectiveness and Learners’ Achievement (TELA) system in March 2023, everyone expected an improvement in teachers’ attendance. TELA is a time-on-task performance management system designed to monitor the real-time attendance of teachers and headteachers using a smartphone with Global Positioning System and Biometric features. The system works by allowing teachers to clock-in the biometric machine using any of the three parameters- the facial recognition, finger print or the code. However, a survey conducted by The Albertine Journal in government-aided secondary schools, as well as primary schools, in Hoima and the neighboring Kikuube districts,…

In a major stride towards environmental conservation, Absa Bank and Hostalite Limited have collaborated with Hoima City authorities to initiate a tree-planting campaign of 50,000 indigenous tree species. The initiative which is part of the efforts to minimise environmental degradation encompasses a diverse array of trees, including fruit varieties such as Mangoes, Jackfruits, Avocados, Guavas, along with wood trees like eucalyptus, and medicinal trees, to be strategically planted within the city. The campaign places communities at the forefront of conservation efforts, with a targeted goal of lining streets with trees. This effort extends to 33 primary schools, 7 secondary schools,…

The Hoima district LC5 Chairperson, Uthiman Mubarak Mugisa, has stood firm on his decision to nominate John Kwemara, the Kisukuma sub-county councilor, as his vice chairman despite the council’s rejection. This decision comes after the council meeting held on Thursday at the district headquarters in Kasingo Cell, West Division in Hoima City, where Kwemara’s nomination was met with disapproval due to alleged misconduct. The rejection of Kwemara as the district Vice-Chairperson followed the display of a video by Hoima youth Councilor Keneth Kwolekya, showing him (Kwemara) hitting a fellow councilor with a white plastic chair during a disagreement in the…

On October 7, the Bunyoro-Kitara kingdom, in collaboration with the Kabaleega Foundation, launched the inaugural Kabaleega Independence Run at Hoima Booma grounds in Hoima city. The run, part of the “Celebrating a Hero’s Legacy, Educating the Leaders of Tomorrow” initiative, saw thousands from all walks of life participate, celebrating the remarkable legacy of Omukama Daudi Chwa II Kabaleega. Andrew Byakutaga, the kingdom’s Omuhikirwa (Prime Minister), flagged off the event, emphasising the significance of October 7 as a day to reflect on Kabaleega’s legacy. Kabaleega’s impact on Bunyoro and Uganda as a whole is immeasurable. Crowned as the King of Bunyoro…

Stakeholders have emphasised the critical need for comprehensive civic education, targeting individuals at all levels in preparation for the 2026 general elections. They believe that such education can address the challenges that have marred past elections in Uganda, including low voter turnout, voter bribery, political persecution, and campaign violence. A well-implemented civic education programme, they argue, would bring greater integrity to the political arena. They were speaking during a meeting, organised by the Forum for Women in Democracy (FOWODE) and the Uganda National Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) Forum which took place at Resort Hotel in Hoima City on Thursday. The meeting…

Bailed legislators, Allan Ssewanyana and Muhammad Ssegirinya have clarified to the public that there was no need for negotiations in their release from prison. The National Unity Platform (NUP) legislators were addressing journalists in Kampala City on Wednesday. Since their release on February 13, after 17months without trial, the Makindye West legislator Ssewanyana and the Kawempe North counterpart, Ssegirinya had never shared their detention story to the country. This situation in return stirred up a speculation of possible negotiations between the Government and the two opposition legislators before their release. Their release came after the Masaka High Court Judge, justice…

Hoima Central Market is no different from the confusion exhibited in other markets across the country. The two-storey modern market which was commissioned on October 7, 2014 at a cost of sh11b under the Market and Agriculture Trade Improvement Project (MATIP) to date faces challenges of poor sanitation, unpaid water and electricity bills. The water and electricity have in the past been on and off rendering vendors to vacate the market early because of the darkness. Others have left to rent elsewhere. The Albertine Journal has learnt that the market owes Umeme Uganda sh16m and National Water and Sewerage Corporation (NWSC)…

The Uganda National Examinations Board (UNEB) today released the 2022 Primary Leaving Examinations results which has indicated a percentage increase in performance of the mathematics subject. The results has revealed that 6.3% of the approximately 52,450 candidates out of the registered 832,659 from 14,691 school centres which is higher than 749,761 in 2021, have been able to score a distinction pass in mathematics compared to a 4.7 % in the previous year. Another 52.7 % of the candidates passed at the credit level compared to the 47.2% of last year. Implying that at the quality level (distinctions and credits) the…

Emmanuel Kaahwa recollects how the community used to clear banks along Bigajuka stream in Kiganda cell occasionally because it would act as a recreation centre where people would sit and feel the cool breeze in the evening hours. Around 1997, the stream was a reliable water source for locals of Kinubi, Kikwite, Bujumbira East and West. Other villages that benefited from the water source included; Rusaka Lower and Upper, Kiganda, Kiganda- Mpunda and Kyakatayomba, all in Hoima city. Kaahwa, a local council one (LCI) chairperson for Bujumbura East, said the aforesaid belt covering two kilometres, had large volumes of water…

Schools in Uganda faced early closures for the end of the 2022 academic calendar as the government moved to contain an Ebola outbreak which has so far killed 56 people, including eight children. Although vilified by experts for early closures as the learners have already fallen far behind in learning following COVID-19 disruptions, the learners are expected to spend two months at home. The school calendar originally had December 9 to 12 as the dates for the end of academic year for preschools, primary and secondary learners. However, many parents and guardians in the increasingly demanding economic world face a…