JEE RICK NEWS

Mpondwe-Lhubiriha Town Council has unveiled a monument in remembrance of victims of the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) attack on Mpondwe-Lhubiriha Secondary School. The monument was unveiled on Friday ( 21st August 2026) at the Mayor’s premises in Nyabungando in Mpondwe-Lhubiriha Town Council during a commemoration event held to honour victims of terrorism. Parents of the students who were killed, survivors and other members of the community gathered to pay tribute to those who lost their lives. The programme was supported by the European Union. The ADF attack on Mpondwe-Lhubiriha Secondary School took place on 16 June 2023, when suspected ADF rebels attacked the school, killing and injuring students while abducting others. Some of those abducted remain missing. According to the chairperson representing parents whose children were affected by the attack, 43 students were killed, 11 survived, while 11 others remain missing. The Mayor of Mpondwe-Lhubiriha Town Council, Rogers Mutahunga, ...

Ugandan athlete Chemonges Leonard has set a new course record at the 2026 Tusker Lite Rwenzori Marathon, winning the men’s 42.2-kilometre race in 2:13:26. Leonard finished ahead of fellow Ugandans Mutai Alex, who clocked 2:13:37, and Cherotwo Fred, who came third in 2:13:50. Kenyan athlete Japchumba Margaret won the women’s 42.2km race in 2:39:16, followed by Uganda’s Vanis Chemutai in 2:43:33 and Chebet Joan in 2:44:09. In the men’s 21.1km race, Abel Chebet maintained his dominance by winning in 1:02:01, marking his fourth victory in five editions of the marathon. Yeko Sam finished second in 1:02:03, while Kibet Oscar took third in 1:02:45. Gloria Chebet won the women’s 21.1km race in 1:12:11. Chesang Prisca Chemweno finished second in 1:12:25, while Chemos Viola Munerya came third in 1:12:35. Amos Wekesa, Team Leader of the Tusker Lite Rwenzori Marathon, said the 2026 edition achieved three major milestones that have further elevated the profile of the event. He said the marathon has...

Kasese Woman Member of Parliament Hon. Sarah Ithungu Baleke has donated Shs1 million to the Bukangara Highway Catering Group to support its income-generating activities and help the group achieve its goal of purchasing a service van. The donation was made during a fundraising event held  on Saturday at St. John’s Bukangara Primary School playground in Nyakiyumbu Subcounty. The Bukangara Highway Catering Group was established in 2021 to support residents through savings and credit services. The group currently has 78 active members who access loans to meet various needs, including school fees. Speaking at the event, group Chairperson Philip Mbusa said the group needs a plot of land where it can construct an office to handle its activities. Mbusa also appealed for more support, saying the group faces several challenges, including the lack of reliable transport to ease its operations. The group’s Vice Chairperson, Adrian Nyamambisi Isemukagha, said the group has helped members improve...

The official kit for the 2026 Tusker Lite Mt Rwenzori Marathon has been unveiled at Uganda Breweries in Luzira, setting the pace for the fifth edition of the annual race scheduled for August 22 in Kasese. The unveiling event showcased a kit designed to reflect the identity and beauty of the Rwenzori region, with the iconic green jersey featuring topographic contour patterns inspired by the mountain terrain. The kit also carries the official fifth anniversary emblem, celebrating five years of the marathon’s growth and impact. The complete runner’s package includes a jersey, cap, bag, and water bottle. The back of the kit highlights key partners supporting the event, including Tusker Lite, KIA, the Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities, Rwenzori Water, Britam, UCC, and Explore Uganda. The marathon has grown beyond a sporting event to become a platform promoting tourism, adventure, and community engagement, attracting runners from different parts of the world. The 2026 edition is ...

The Woman Member of Parliament for Kasese District, Hon. Sarah Ithungu Baleke, has donated UGX 1 million to 10 community groups in Nyamambuka I Cell, Mpondwe-Lhubiriha Town Council Kasese District, to support their income-generating activities. Each group received UGX 100,00 during her community engagement in the area, where she also mobilized residents to support National Resistance Movement (NRM) candidates in the upcoming Local Council I elections. Hon. Ithungu said the support is aimed at empowering communities and improving the livelihoods of residents. She encouraged local leaders to create a database of educated but unemployed youth to help connect them to available job opportunities. She also pledged support to elderly women involved in charcoal selling, saying there is a need to help them find better sources of income. The legislator further promised to lobby for the construction of culverts to replace temporary bridges affecting residents. «“The community needs to identify ed...

Students in Kasese District have been encouraged to make the best use of their time in school and remain committed to education as a foundation for a brighter future. The message was delivered during a career guidance session held this week at Ihandiro Vocational Secondary School, bringing together Primary Seven candidates from various primary schools in Ihandiro Sub-county alongside students of the host secondary school. Established in 2001 through the efforts of parents in the area, Ihandiro Vocational Secondary School is the only government-aided secondary school in the sub-county. The school has recently registered significant infrastructure improvements, including the acquisition of additional land, construction of computer laboratories, and the commencement of a boys' dormitory. Despite the progress, the school continues to face challenges such as an insufficient number of computers, lack of staff accommodation for teachers, and inadequate library facilities. Speaking at the ...

Leaders from the Rwenzori Region have reassured the public and visitors that Kasese District remains safe ahead of the upcoming Tusker Lite Rwenzori Marathon, following concerns and misinformation linked to Ebola. The leaders, who included Members of Parliament from the region, held a joint press conference today ( June 19th 2026) to address fears surrounding Ebola and its possible impact on tourism activities in the area. The press conference was led by Hon. Benjamin Kabyanga Cardet, Member of Parliament for Bunyaruguru County, Hon. Sarah Ithungu Masereka, Kasese District Woman MP, and Hon. Mulindwa David Isimbwa, Busongora South MP. They emphasized that Kasese District and the wider Rwenzori Region are Ebola-free and remain open for both local and international visitors. The leaders clarified that the recently reported Ebola cases were imported from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), adding that there are no active Ebola cases in Kasese. They also noted that cross-border movemen...

Residents and local leaders in Nakisunga Sub-county, Mukono District, are in shock after a newly elected councillor died shortly after being sworn into office. Henry Kitatta Naggwano, the National Resistance Movement (NRM) councillor for Katente Ward, collapsed shortly after taking his oath during a swearing-in ceremony held on Friday. Reports indicate that Kitatta had been receiving treatment at a health facility but asked to be discharged so he could attend the ceremony. His sudden death has left the community in deep sadness as they mourn a leader who had just begun his new term. ENDS 

Speaker Anita Annet Among has announced that she will not contest for the Speakership position in the 12th Parliament. In a public statement, Among said the decision followed wide consultations and careful reflection aimed at maintaining unity and harmony within the ruling National Resistance Movement party. She thanked President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, the NRM leadership, Members of Parliament, family, and friends for supporting her during her time as Deputy Speaker and Speaker. Among pledged full support to candidates who will be endorsed by the President and the party for the Speakership race. She also called upon MPs of the 12th Parliament to support the party’s decision. She further said she remains ready to serve the country in any role assigned to her by the President and the party. Regarding the allegations raised against her, Among said she will continue cooperating with ongoing investigations by the relevant state agencies. The statement ended with the words: “For God and My ...

The Kasese University Students’ Association (KUSA) has launched a call for sponsorship and partnership ahead of its 2026 Community Outreach and Development Programme aimed at promoting environmental conservation, humanitarian support, and youth empowerment in Kasese District. The three-day programme, running from 24th to 26th July 2026 under the theme “Educated Hands, Transformed Communities,” is expected to attract over 200 university students from across Uganda who share roots and interests in Kasese. According to the programme outline, students will engage in a number of community-centered activities including a clean-up exercise in Kasese Town and Mawa Market, humanitarian outreach at Muhokya IDP Camp, and tree planting at the Royal Hill of Obusinga Bwa Rwenzururu. Other activities will include a students’ conference and development dialogue, a gala dinner and cultural celebration, a royal palace visit to Buhikira Palace, as well as football and netball tournaments aimed at promoti...

The outgoing LC3 Chairperson of Kitswamba Town Council in Kasese District, Mr. Monday John Wakighoma, has appealed to Yoweri Kaguta Museveni to formally recognize his family’s contribution to Uganda’s liberation struggle, claiming that NRM veterans once hid at their home during the bush war. Wakighoma made the remarks while congratulating President Museveni on what he described as a seventh term in office, praising government programs such as the Parish Development Model (PDM), Emyooga, and ongoing road infrastructure works that he said have benefited communities in Kasese District. He, however, used the same occasion to revisit his family’s role in the liberation struggle, saying his late father, Mzee Owerangi Paul, supported the National Resistance Army (NRA) through shelter, food, clothing, intelligence, and recruitment assistance. He further claimed that several of his family members joined the bush war, with some reportedly losing their lives in the process. Wakighoma alleged that...

Kasese District’s celebrated musician Good Hope Alex Bihamba has pledged to honour and reward emerging young artists across different categories during his upcoming concert, the Good Hope Festival, set for May 23 at Rwenzori Square in Kasese. The initiative is intended to promote Abayira culture and encourage the growth of young talent in the region. While launching early bird tickets at Verina Gardens, Bihamba assured fans of a memorable experience, strong security arrangements, and encouraged the public to turn up in large numbers for what he described as a flagship entertainment event in Kasese. Early bird tickets are currently going for Shs 8,000, reduced from Shs 10,000, and will be available until May 20, 2026. He further revealed that the festival will feature performances from local artists within the Rwenzori Region, as well as national and international acts. Earlier this week, the Nyabaghole of Rwenzururu Queen confirmed her attendance at the event. According to Bihamba, tic...

  The 3rd Uganda National Cultural Heritage Conference was held at Fairway Hotel Kampala, bringing together cultural leaders, heritage experts, and policymakers to examine how the country could modernize its cities without losing its architectural identity. Held under the theme Urbanization without Eraser: Architectural Heritage in Uganda’s Changing Urban Centers, the conference focused on balancing rapid urban development with the preservation of historic buildings. Speaking during the event, John Dconanck called for deliberate efforts to safeguard Uganda’s architectural heritage. He emphasized that urbanization should not be equated with demolition, but rather seen as an opportunity to renovate and adapt existing structures. Dconanck noted that old buildings are more than physical structures, describing them as carriers of community identity and history, and warned that once such heritage is destroyed, it cannot be recreated. He urged stakeholders to prioritize restoration over r...

The Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development has announced governance changes at the Uganda Electricity Distribution Company Limited following a review of the company’s management. In a press statement issued on 2 May 2026, the ministry said the services of the board chairperson have been terminated, while the managing director has been placed on forced leave to allow a comprehensive review of the company’s management and operations. To ensure continuity of service, shareholders have appointed an interim board chairperson. The board has also appointed an acting managing director to oversee operations during the transition period until the vacant positions are substantively filled. The ministry said the measures are part of routine governance and oversight procedures aimed at strengthening institutional performance, accountability and service delivery within the energy sector. According to Ruth Nankabirwa Ssentamu, electricity supply and distribution services will continue uninterrupt...

The Gulu City Marathon team, led by Francis Gimara, today ( April, 16th, 2026 ) paid a courtesy visit to Uganda Baati in appreciation of their support towards the recently concluded marathon. During the visit, the team delivered a certificate of appreciation to Uganda Baati and shared an impact report highlighting the success of the event. The report reflected on key achievements and the overall growth of the marathon. One of the major highlights was the overwhelming participation, with the event attracting more runners than the initially planned 1,000 participants. Competitors took part in the 5km, 10km, 21km, and 42km race categories. The team also held discussions with Uganda Baati, receiving valuable feedback and insights aimed at improving future editions of the marathon. Francis Gimara the Team Leader at Gulu City Marathon commended Uganda Baati for its support, noting that the company’s contribution played a significant role in promoting health, unity, and cultural heritage ...

Girls for Climate Action, based in Jinja and supported by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), was in Kasese where it conducted a Green Skills for Youth Bootcamp in partnership with Young Environmental Human Rights Defenders. The training brought together youth from different parts of the district to explore climate science and green business opportunities. The initiative aimed to help participants identify resources within their communities that could be transformed into sustainable income and meaningful livelihoods. The bootcamp also created a platform for young people to listen, learn, and connect with fellow youth and trainers. Participants were given the opportunity to share their backgrounds, challenges, and expectations from the training. Organizers said the program was designed to build young people’s confidence and ideas through sessions on customer segmentation, business planning using the Lean Canvas model, and costing. The training also included practical han...

Registration has officially opened for the fifth edition of the Rwenzori Marathon, one of Uganda’s most scenic and internationally recognized long-distance races. Scheduled for August 22, 2026, the event will take place in Kasese District in western Uganda and is expected to attract both local and international runners. The marathon, which has earned a World Athletics Label Race status, continues to grow in prominence on the global running calendar. Participants will compete across four race categories: the full marathon (42 kilometers), half marathon (21 kilometers), 10 kilometers, and 5 kilometers. Organizers say the event is designed to cater to both elite athletes and recreational runners. The race route is a major highlight, beginning at the Equator within Queen Elizabeth National Park and ending in Kasese town. Runners will be treated to sweeping views of the Rwenzori Mountains, often referred to as the “Mountains of the Moon,” providing a unique backdrop rarely matched by other ...

Ahead of the upcoming International Day of Forests on March 21, 2026, Good Forests Foundation Uganda, together with its development partners, has planted approximately 500 tree seedlings across Hoima City and Rukungiri District in a strong push toward environmental conservation. Rukungiri - Deputy CAO Hillary Agaba Launching the Tree planting activity   The initiative included two impactful campaigns that saw over 450 seedlings planted in collaboration with local partners, aiming to promote sustainable environmental practices while creating economic opportunities through forestry. According to Colline Mugabi, Project Manager for Tree Planting at Good Forests Foundation Uganda, the organization has so far planted over 2 million seedlings across 22 districts in Uganda. He noted that the initiative not only enhances environmental conservation but also supports household incomes through sustainable agriculture. Colline Mugabi, Project Manager for Tree Planting at Good Forests Foundatio...

She Kasese SC President, Baguma Faisal, has expressed the team's readiness to face URA Ladies FC in today's match, marking the opening game of the FUFA Women Elite League, 2025/2026 Faisal noted that the team has bolstered its ranks with new players, strengthening its operations and competitiveness in the league. He also highlighted plans to collaborate with schools to develop young players through sports academies. The President called on the community to rally behind the ladies' football team, emphasizing the importance of support for women's football in Kasese. The match is set to kick off today, and fans are eager to see the team in action  Ends  Story by Mumbere Jonan 

The Obusinga Bwa Rwenzururu (OBR) has embarked on a mission to revamp its administrative structures, aiming to boost coordination, accountability, and socio-economic progress in the Rwenzori sub-region. According to a statement released on February 27, 2025 the exercise, which will kick off on March 3, 2026, is designed to actualize the Five Pillars of the OBR Rebranding Philosophy: Peace, Unity in Diversity, Reconciliation, Socio-Cultural and Economic Transformation, and Mindset Change. The OBR team will be visiting various locations in Kasese District, including Kinyamaseke, Karambi, Kyarumba, Kisinga, Kaburara, Kyihyo, Bugoye, Kabatunda, and Virina Gardens, between March 3 and 13, 2026. Gombolola Internal Security Officers (GISOs) have been invited to participate in the exercises, which are expected to promote stability, unity, and socio-economic progress in the region. The exercise is part of OBR's efforts to implement its Five-Year Strategic Development Plan and reinforce its ...