LOSCO QUARTERLY HUMAN RIGHTS SITUATION ANALYSIS AND KEY ISSUES IN KIGEZI SUB REGION OF UGANDA
October 1, 2025
Dear Human Rights Defenders, Actors, and Partners in the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights,
A Happy New Month!
Local Sustainable Communities Organisation (LOSCO) extends warm greetings as we welcome you to the July–September Quarterly Human Rights Situation Review and Analysis. We trust that the past quarter concluded positively for you. As we continue in this pivotal election year, we look forward to strengthened collective engagement in fostering inclusive participation, democratic accountability, good governance, and the rule of law.
In this edition, LOSCO presents key highlights from the July–September quarter, focusing on the evolving human rights landscape, emerging challenges, and the operating environment for human rights defenders in Uganda. We sincerely appreciate your continued interest and commitment, and we invite you to reflect on how you can contribute—at sub-national, national, regional, and global levels—to the promotion and protection of human rights, governance, and the rule of law.
Below are some of the highlighted issues from the quarter:
Rubanda Stakeholders Advocate for Mentorship Programs in School
Authorities in Rubanda District are advocating for enhanced sensitization and mentorship programs in schools to combat the rising issues of student dropout and sexual harassment. A call made during a one-day stakeholders meeting held at Volcano Hotel in Rubanda District.
The meeting aimed to validate findings from citizen engagement under the Strengthening Citizen’s Engagement and public accountability (SCEPA) Project. The meeting was organized by Local Sustainable Communities Organisation (LOSCO) in partnership with the Ugandan National NGO Forum and was supported by the Embassies of Denmark, Netherlands, Sweden and Ireland in Uganda. This was after the Rubanda District Inspector of Schools Happy Asiimwe Melkizedeki revealed that they are investigating sexual abuse of pupils by their teachers in the District.
Diocese of Kinkiizi Accuses Kanungu LC5 Aspirant Over Fake Kidnap Claims
The Diocese of Kinkiizi has strongly denied what it describes as false and inflammatory allegations made by Rev. Justus Tibesigwa, an LC5 Chairman aspirant for Kanungu District, including the claim that the Diocese orchestrated his alleged kidnapping.
In a statement issued, Rev. Canon Gad Tibeijuka, the Diocesan Secretary and official spokesperson of the Diocese, dismissed the accusations, instead accusing Rev. Tibesigwa of deliberately spreading falsehoods for political gain.
Rev. Tibeijuka claimed that Rev. Tibesigwa had stage-managed his own arrest in a calculated attempt to gain public sympathy, adding that such conduct is inconsistent with how the Church resolves matters. “The Diocese firmly stands on the principles of truth, justice, prayer, and due process in all our dealings,” said Rev. Tibeijuka. “We categorically reject and denounce these false accusations as baseless propaganda aimed at sowing confusion, division, and tribal hatred during this politically sensitive season.”
Kigezi Police Arrest 72 in Crime Crackdown
The Police in Kigezi region intensified their fight against crime through a series of intelligence-led operations that have led to multiple arrests across Rukungiri, Kisoro, and Kabale districts.
In Rukungiri Municipality, the territorial police conducted a successful night operation on October 7, 2025, targeting criminal gangs that have been terrorizing residents through bag snatching, burglary, theft, and drug abuse.
During the operation, 72 suspects were rounded up from various black spots. Several of them were found in possession of breaking implements, caught smoking opium, or loitering suspiciously during the night without valid explanation.
According to ASP Elly Maate, the Kigezi Region Police Spokesperson, a screening exercise conducted on the morning of October 8, 2025, resulted in 26 suspects being charged with offenses including public nuisance, possession and smoking of opium, and possession of breaking implements.
https://thesource.co.ug/current-affairs/kigezi-police-arrest-72-in-crime-crackdown/
Human Rights Actors Raise Alarm Over Religion’s Growing Influence in Politics in Kigezi.
Stakeholders in Kabale District have raised concern over the rising tide of religious politics, warning that it may fuel division among residents and undermine effective service delivery.
The concerns were raised during a district stakeholders’ engagement organized by the Local Sustainable Communities Organization (LOSCO), in partnership with the Uganda NGO Forum, held at Kirigime Guest House in Kabale Municipality. The dialogue focused on human rights advocacy and economic empowerment for vulnerable communities.
LOSCO Executive Director, Mr Albert Taremwa, warned that the region risks regressing to dark historical periods if sectarianism isn’t addressed. “We risk returning to the divisive days of Idi Amin. As citizens, Article 38 of the Constitution mandates us to participate in governance. We must fight religious divisionism, it’s pulling us backward.” Mr Taremwa said.
Armed Men Demolish Family Home in Kanungu Amid Land Dispute
Panic and grief have engulfed a family in Ibarya Cell, Kihanda Sub-county, Kanungu District, after unidentified men armed with hammers, axes, and machetes (pangas) violently raided their home in broad daylight, leaving them homeless and destitute.
The attack targeted the residence of Anna Kyahamutima and occurred without prior notice. The assailants reportedly destroyed the family’s house, gardens, and other property. Allegations suggest the demolition was carried out under the directive of the Ministry of Water, although no official court order or notice was presented.
According to Kyahamutima’s daughter, Asiimwe Allen, who was home during the incident, the ordeal began around midday when she heard unfamiliar voices outside.
https://thesource.co.ug/crime/armed-men-demolish-family-home-in-kanungu-amid-land-dispute/
Rukungiri Man Killed in Love Dispute, Three Arrested
Police in Rukungiri District have arrested three suspects in connection with the assault and subsequent death of Kakuru Gideon, also known as Hakizimana Kaboy, a 24-year-old resident of Kanyankyende Cell, Nyabitete Parish in Bugangari Sub-county.
According to Kigezi Region Police Spokesperson Elly Maate, the suspects have been identified as Nsimire Justine, Ndyamuhaki Posiano, and Murokozi John.
Maate explained that on Saturday evening, a dispute arose at Nsimire Justine’s bar located in Kanyankyende Trading Centre.
The victim, Kakuru Gideon, reportedly expressed romantic interest in Nsimire, which was strongly opposed by her brothers, Ndyamuhaki Posiano and Murokozi John.
https://thesource.co.ug/crime/rukungiri-man-killed-in-love-dispute-three-arrested/
30 Year Old Man allegedly kills his own biological son
The territorial Police in Kanungu have arrested a 30 years old Mwebesa Naboth allegedly for the assault to murder of his own biological Nine (9) years old son one Amutuhaire Emmanuel a pupil at Zendeire primary school and resident of Kazinga upper village Rushoroza parish Kihihi sub county Kanungu district.
It’s alleged that, on the 10/08/2025 at around 02 : 00 hours of the night at the above address, Mwebesa Naboth now the suspect went home late and found his son had not cooked food.
He started beating him until became weak and he decided to take him to the nearby clinic for treatment, where he passed on moments later.
He notified his brother Sunday who in turn informed the area Chairperson and LC II one Asimwe Sulait who arrested the suspect and took him to Kihihi Police Station.
The scene of crime was visited, examined, documented statements recorded from relevant witnesses, and the postmortem has been done.
According to the Kigezi Regional Police Spokesperson Assistant Supretendant of Police Elly Maate said that, Inquiries ongoing, upon completion, will be produced before courts of law and charged with aggravated torture.
28-Year-Old, Others Injured in Alleged Security Forces Attack in Kabale
A 28-year-old man and several others are nursing injuries after allegedly being attacked by personnel from the Uganda Police Force and the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) in Ryakarimira Town Council, Ndorwa West County, Kabale District.
The victims say the incident occurred on Wednesday evening when they were ambushed by uniformed officers travelling in a double-cabin pickup truck, registration number UG 2770A, which is reportedly attached to the Kabale District Health Department and was donated by the Ministry of Health.
The group was travelling on a truck loaded with a music sound system, returning from the campaign trail of Jackson Mpirirwe, an NRM candidate contesting for the LC3 chairperson seat in Ryakarimira Town Council.
Medical forms from Muguri Church of Uganda Health Center II indicate that Johnson Ahimbisibwe, a resident of Muguri A Village in Kacerere Ward, sustained a swollen, bleeding wound on his right foot and internal injuries.
Floods Submerge Chibumba Primary School, Pupils Stranded in Classrooms
A heavy downpour has left Chibumba Primary School in Chahafi Town Council, Kisoro District flooded, disrupting lessons and leaving pupils stranded with nowhere to study from.
The head teacher, Steven Mfitumukiza Masasa, says both the classrooms and the playground were submerged by last night’s rains, forcing pupils and teachers into panic. “All our classrooms are filled with water. Pupils have nowhere to sit and teachers cannot conduct lessons. We are helpless.” Mfitumukiza said.
Mfitumukiza appealed to the Uganda Red Cross Society, the District Disaster Preparedness Team, and the Health Department to rescue the learners, warning of a possible outbreak of diseases.
UPDF Soldier Ends Life in Kisoro Under Mysterious Circumstances
Police in Kisoro District are investigating circumstances under which a Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) soldier allegedly took his own life in a suspected suicide by shooting.
The deceased was been identified as Pte. Kwesiga Samuel, 32, service number RA 267544, who was attached to Nyanamo Detach under the 35th Battalion in Kisoro District.
According to preliminary reports, the tragic incident occurred on Monday morning, August 18, 2025, at around 7:00 am in Kigyeyo Village, Nyanamo Town Council.
The day before, at around 6:00 pm, Pte. Kwesiga reportedly went to Nyanamo Trading Centre to watch the English Premier League match between Manchester United and Arsenal.
HRDs in Kigezi Raise Alarm Over Rising Rights Violations Linked to Limited Legal Knowledge.
Stakeholders in Kabale District have expressed deep concern over the continued laxity by Ugandans to read, understand, and apply the Constitution of Uganda, warning that this ignorance is fueling violations of the law and widespread injustice in the region.
The concerns were raised during a one-day capacity-building workshop for Human Rights Defenders, organized by the Local Sustainable Communities Organisation (LOSCO) under the theme “Promoting Human Rights and Civic Competence through Community Empowerment in Kigezi Sub-region.” at Heras Hotel in Kabale Municipality.
According to Albert Taremwa, the Executive Director of LOSCO, ignorance of the law remains one of the leading causes of lost legal battles in Uganda, especially among marginalized communities that lack knowledge about their constitutional entitlements.
Kisoro Police Bust Gang Using Stray Dogs to Terrorize Night Travelers
Police in Kisoro District have arrested 20 suspected night criminals accused of terrorizing residents through assaults, theft, and attacks using stray dogs during nighttime operations across the municipality.
According to police, the suspects, whose identities have been withheld to avoid jeopardizing ongoing investigations, are accused of snatching mobile phones, assaulting residents with pangas, sticks, and knives, and in some cases, using stray dogs to threaten their victims.
The suspects are believed to have been operating mainly along Rasha Street, Kivegeri Street, Kisoro–Bunagana Road, Busamba, and Kisoro–Mutorele Road.
Kisoro District Police Commander (DPC) Ben Niwamanya Kashumbusha confirmed the arrests, noting that the operation followed a series of public complaints about increased night attacks in the municipality. He said the arrests were made during intensified night patrols that began three weeks ago as part of a broader security operation to enhance public safety ahead of the Christmas festive
A total of 21 Suspects Arrested in Intelligence Led Operation in Kabale.
Security in Kabale district recorded a major breakthrough after the territorial police carried out a series of intelligence led operations that resulted in the arrest of 21 suspects allegedly behind a wave of crime in Kabale Municipality and surrounding areas.
According to Assistant Supretendant of Police, ASP Elly Maate, the Kigezi Regional Police Spokesperson, the suspects are believed to have been involved in various criminal activities including robberies, burglary, theft, bag snatching from travellers, and possession and smoking of opium.
The operations were conducted in different parts of Kabale Municipality and Kitumba Sub-County. “Among the arrested are prime suspects who were recently released from Ndorwa prison and immediately returned to criminal activity, as well as others who have been on the police wanted list,” Maate told reporters.
Kigezi Human Rights Dialogue Calls for Improved Reporting of Law Enforcement Abuses.
The Kigezi Regional Police Officer in Charge of Legal and Human Rights, ASP Arnold Ndagije, urged members of the public to report human rights abuses by law enforcement officers, especially within the Police and Uganda Prison Services.
ASP Ndagije made these remarks today during a dialogue organized by the NGO Local Sustainable Communities Organization (LOSCO) in Kabale District.
The event, held at White Horse Inn Hotel, brought together human rights defenders, law enforcement officers, political leaders, local government civil servants, the media, and members of the public.
LOSCO is in partnership with Defend Defenders Horn of Africa, supported by Royal Danish Embassy (RDE) under PACER program, to promote civic competence and human rights in the Kigezi sub-region.
Kabale Mechanic Brutally Murdered, Police Arrest Five in Swift Operation
Police in Kabale District have launched investigations into the gruesome murder of a local mechanic, who was found dead with deep cuts on his head in Rugarama Pida Cell, Northern Division, Kabale Municipality.
The deceased was identified as Rubanza Juma, a resident of Upper Bugongi Ward. His body was discovered early Thursday morning by a passerby who noticed it lying among eucalyptus trees along the Rugarama–Pida route.
According to police, the witness immediately alerted the deceased’s family members, who later reported the incident to Kabale Central Police Station. A team of officers, led by the District Police Commander and supported by the canine unit, responded swiftly to the scene.
Elly Maate, the Kigezi Region Police Spokesperson says that the area was cordoned off and a sniffer dog helped track down five suspects who were arrested from a nearby pork joint to assist in investigations.
19-Year-Old Woman Found Stabbed to Death in Kisoro
Police in Kisoro District launched investigations into the suspected murder of a 19-year-old woman whose body was discovered along a village road on Friday morning.
The deceased, identified as Brenda Nyirarimbagiza, a resident of Giko Village, Muramba Parish in Kisoro District, was reportedly found lying by the roadside at around 12:00am on 27th September 2025.
According to Kigezi Region Police Spokesperson ASP Elly Maate, the victim had a history of mental illness and was known to frequently roam around the village.
Her mother, Muhawe Meridah, 45, reported the incident to Muramba Police after residents alerted her to the discovery. Officers visited the scene, documented evidence and transferred the body to Kisoro Hospital Mortuary for postmortem examination.
https://thesource.co.ug/crime/19-year-old-woman-found-stabbed-to-death-in-kisoro/
St. Thereza Girls Lead Independence Day Clean-Up to Promote Environmental Responsibility
As Uganda marked its 63rd Independence Anniversary, St. Thereza Girls’ Vocational Secondary School in Rushoroza, Kabale District, chose to celebrate the occasion through action, by cleaning litter in Kabale Municipality as a demonstration of patriotism and environmental responsibility.
According to the school’s Head Teacher, Sister Sophia Natuhwera, the initiative aimed to reawaken citizens’ commitment to caring for “Mother Earth” and combating environmental pollution.
She noted that the activity was part of the school’s holistic approach to nurturing responsible and environmentally conscious citizens.
The clean-up exercise covered several areas in Kabale Municipality’s Southern Division, including Rushoroza, Kitumba Trading Centre, Mwanjari Weekly Market, and Mwanjari Business Centre, which hosts several automobile garages known for heavy waste generation.
Kigezi Police Tackle Rising Crime as Ex-Convicts Return to Streets
The Kigezi Region Police Commander, SP Alex Wabwire, has expressed concern over a surge in criminal activities across the region, pointing to former convicts who, after serving their sentences, return to communities and resume criminal behavior.
Speaking in response to security concerns raised by residents in the Kabale Community and Security WhatsApp group, SP Wabwire said police had intensified joint operations across Kigezi to curb crime. However, the re-emergence of previously convicted offenders remains a significant challenge to maintaining lasting peace.
He noted that numerous suspects have been taken to court for prosecution, while others remain in custody awaiting guidance from the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP). Despite these challenges, Wabwire assured residents that ongoing operations have begun yielding positive results.
https://thesource.co.ug/national/kigezi-police-tackle-rising-crime-as-ex-convicts-return-to-streets/
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