Newslex Point News in Uganda, Uganda news
This follows concerns raised by local leaders and residents regarding the use of excessive force by the revenue enforcers, resulting in several casualties.
In the most recent incident on January 3, UPDF soldiers, deployed by URA, shot four people. This was during an operation to impound a numberless motorcycle in Okollo Town Centre, Madi Okollo District. One of the victims, Moses Acidri, succumbed to his injuries.
During a security meeting on Tuesday, officials from URA and the UPDF acknowledged the tragic events. They stated that officers responsible for extrajudicial killings would face personal accountability as such actions are deemed unlawful.
Brig Michael Kabango, the UPDF 4th Division Commander, condemned the loss of lives. He emphasized the need for responsible conduct by both security forces and the community.
Brig Kabango mentioned a new strategy where enforcement officers will be deployed as a last resort. He said all operations will involve collaboration between URA, police, and UPDF officers. He urged continued sensitization of local communities on the law to prevent violent confrontations.
Where the violence stems from;
URA’s Assistant Commissioner-in-Charge of Enforcement Operation, Mr. Godson Mwesigye, expressed concern over violence directed at enforcers. He revealed that two URA staff members had lost their lives due to such incidents.
He condemned both armed forces’ killings and violence by locals. Mwesigye also emphasized the importance of combating smuggling to support national development through collected revenues.
In addition to the recent incident, the report highlighted other tragic events involving URA enforcers. This included the death of a 70-year-old woman in November 2023.
Then the shooting of a resident in Saliamusala in the same month. The historical context included the burning of URA offices in Koboko Town in 2022 and a 2019 incident where a suspected smuggler lost his life during an attempted escape.
Check Also;
- Smuggling: URA Impounds 2 Tons Of Rice, Kitenge Bales In Jinja
- Eight Detained, Including UPDF Soldier, As Stolen Gun Is Recovered From Shrine
- Suspected Smuggler Fatally Injured In Koboko URA Confrontation
Please use the button below to contribute to Newslex Point, Inc. using a credit card or via PayPal.
![[dropcap]A[/dropcap] section of women in Bugongo parish and Nawangaiza parish in Nawandala Sub County, Iganga District have decried the near-impossible terms set for them to access GROW funds. They have now petitioned their woman member of parliament for Iganga Hon. Kauma Sauda Alibaawo to ask the government for revised terms and conditions. This is to enable them to benefit from the program. The disgruntled women accuse the implementers of the program of charging the money. They are also asking for their land titles and land agreements. They said that such properties are governed by their husbands. These, therefore want the government through their woman MP to intervene and revise the requirements for one to benefit. The women were on Wednesday at Namabwere primary school in Nawandala Sub County. They had gathered in their respective groups to receive over 300 chickens from Hon Alibaawo in her campaign to improve the livelihood of women in Iganga district. Each group was given 50 chicken as start-up capital in their journey to prosperity. Read what some leaders said; Ms Naigambi Lydia from Nawandala Trading Centre says, “They solicited money from us through opening bank accounts and depositing Shs80,000. They also asked for land titles and land agreements from us yet we don’t have such things. I was informed that I needed to have a business with a capital of Shs4m yet my capital was very small.” The chairperson Kisoboka Saving Group in Nawandala Ms. Nakagolo Faith said they were not able to join the program. This is given the many conditions attached. She also asked their woman MP to raise their concerns to the relevant offices. The MP condemned the mode of implementation of the program. She cited that it has turned to benefit the well-off class of women other than the intended group. She further asked the government to intervene saying the current strings attached to the programme are very tight to accommodate a common woman. GROW project is a Government of Uganda initiative that arose out of the need to respond to the needs of women entrepreneurs. This is especially those who want to grow their businesses, sustain their self-employment and create more jobs. Check Also; Iganga District NRM Leaders Urge Museveni To Fulfill Election Promises Of 2021 International Women's Day: Celebrating Progress Towards Equality](https://i0.wp.com/newslexpoint.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Iganga-women-decry-tough-terms-to-access-GROW-funds-e1731738339732.jpg?resize=300%2C160&ssl=1)
