QUARTERLY HUMAN RIGHTS SITUATION ANALSIS AND KEY ISSUES IN KIGEZI.
July 1, 2026.
Dear Human Rights Defenders, Actors and Partners in the Promotion and Protection of Human rights;
Greetings!
Local Sustainable Communities Organisation (LOSCO) welcomes you to the quarterly review of human rights quarterly situation and analysis hoping that so far so good this year.
LOSCO brings you some of the key highlights from last quarter in the context of human rights, key emerging issues and the environment of human rights defenders in Uganda and appreciates you for taking time off to think through what you can contribute to the promotion and protection of Human Rights, Governance and Rule of Law at the sub national, national and regional level as well as contributing to the Global Human Rights promotion as you reflect on the information shared.
Below are some of the highlighted issues:
KIGEZI SUB REGIONAL SITUATION:
Chief Justice Zeija Commences Kigezi Sub-Region Courts Tour to Strengthen Justice Delivery.
The Chief Justice, Justice Dr. Flavian Zeija, had a three-day working visit to courts in southwestern Uganda aimed at strengthening justice service delivery and improving collaboration among justice actors in the region.
The tour covered Kabale High Court, Rukungiri High Court and the Magistrates’ Courts of Kisoro, Rubanda, Rukiga, and Kanungu. During the engagements, the Chief Justice is meeting judicial officers and key stakeholders to discuss ways of enhancing efficiency in the administration of justice, as well as addressing operational challenges affecting court performance.
KABALE: Kabale High Court Judge Challenges Juveniles to Rewrite Their Future.
The Kabale High Court Resident Judge, Justice Karoli Lwanga Ssemogerere, encouraged juveniles at the Kabale Regional Remand Home to embrace reform, reminding them that their current circumstances do not define their future.
The Uganda Police Force Kigezi Spokesperson, ASP Elly Maate, urged the juveniles to avoid crime and make good use of the opportunity for reform.
The visit brought together various justice sector actors and stakeholders committed to strengthening juvenile justice. During the engagement the judge urged the children and staff to prioritize personal growth and positive change.
Kabale Students challenged to Embrace Volunteering to Beat job Crisis.
Students from higher institutions of learning in Kabale District were Challenged to take advantage of voluntary work as pathway to gaining practical experience and essential skills needed to secure jobs in today’s competitive employment landscape.
The seminar, hosted at the Uganda National Institute of Teacher Education (UNITE), formerly National Teachers College Kabale, attracted students from various universities, tertiary institutions, and selected Advanced level secondary schools across Kabale Municipality.
Kabale Trade order Enforcement Hit a Snag, as Evicted Vendors Reclaimed Streets.
Some street vendors in Kabale Municipality defied the enforcement of the trade order that was officially effected, returning to the streets just hours after being removed by authorities.
The Kabale Municipality Deputy Town Clerk, Sunday Eric, announced the start of the operation, which initially targeted small-scale business, particularly vendors dealing in merchandise, clothing and food along the streets.
A visit by our team to the abattoir area, when several structures had been marked with an “X’’ by the municipal council, found no demolitions had taken place by the time of this report with business continuing as usual.
Kabale Man Killed While Trying to Stop Suspected Thieves.
A tragic road incident in Kabale District claimed the life of a Good Samaritan who reportedly tried to intervene in a suspected theft recently.
Police in Kabale identified the deceased as Alferd Turyatunga, an adult male and resident of Karuma Village in Kyanamira Sub- County. The fatal hit-and-run occurred at around 9:30 pm on April 22,2026, at Kabaraga village along busy Kabale-Mbarara road.
According to preliminary police findings, Turyatunga became involved in a scuffle over a tricycle that had been parked by the roadside loaded with iron sheets, the group reportedly suspected the items to have been stolen and attempted to intervene.
https://thesource.co.ug/accident/kabale-man-killed-while-trying-to-stop-suspected-thevies/
Kabale Recorded 173 New HIV Cases in Three Months
Health officials in Kabale district raised concern over persistent new HIV infections among young women, even as the district registers strong progress in treatment and viral suppression.
Between January and March 2026, the district recorded 173 new HIV cases, with the majority, 75 infections occurring among female aged 20 to 39 years, a trend experts said points to a deeply vulnerable demographic.
The figures were presented during the quarterly HIV coordination committee meeting at the district Health Department Boardroom.
District Health Educator Alfred Besigensi said 17462, people were tested during the period resulting in a 1 percent positivity rate. He noted that Kabale has a cumulative total of 19,021 people living with HIV with 9,921 active clients currently in care.
https://thesource.co.ug./lifestyle/health/kabale-records-173-new-hiv-cases-in-three-months/
RUBANDA: Rubanda Leaders Accuse UWA of Neglecting Tourism Roads.
Authorities in Rubanda District accused the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) of neglecting the district by failing to deploy road maintenance equipment to improve tourism and community roads
The accusations emerged during the swearing-in ceremony of LC3 councillors for Ruhija Town Council in Rubanda District. Speaking during the ceremony, the Rubanda District LC5 Chairperson, Stephen Ampeire Kasyaba said despite UWA processing road maintenance machinery capable of rehabilitating roads in conservation areas, none of the equipment has been deployed in Rubanda District. He claimed that most of the machinery had instead been taken to the Rwenzori region, leaving roads in Rubanda in poor condition.
https://thesource.co.ug/national/rubanda-leaders-accuse-uwa-of-neglecting-tourism-roads/
Rubanda Launches Multi-School Construction Projects to Boost Education Standards.
Authorities in Rubanda District launched phase One construction of classroom blocks in three schools as part of efforts to improve education infrastructure in the area.
The project includes a three-classroom block at kakore Primary School, valued at Shs 150 million in kakore Parish in Hamurwa Sub County, another three-classroom block at Kaburara Primary School in Mpungu Parish, Mpungu Sub- County, at a cost of Shs 145 million and a multi-purpose building at St John’s Secondary School. The latter will house classrooms, administration offices and laboratories valued at Shs 950 million.
Seven-Year-Old Pupil Stabbed Dead in Rubanda, Police Hunt Teen Suspect.
Police in Rubanda District launched a manhunt for a 17-year-old suspect in connection with the murder of a seven-year-old boy who was allegedly stabbed to death on his way home from school.
The deceased was identified as Ainebyoona Hosea, a Pupil at Hamukobakoba Nursery School and a resident of Kyokezo Parish in Nyamweru Sub-County, Rubanda District.
According to Police, the suspect, Ainamani Bureya, a 17-year-old peasant from the same area, is wanted on charges of murder by stabbing following the tragic incident that occurred in Kyokezo Parish.
https://kigezitv.com/seven-year-old-puil-stabbed-dead-in-Rubanda-police-hunt-teen-suspect.
KISORO: Kisoro Murder Suspects Committed to Kabale High Court.
The Kisoro Grade One Magistrate, His Worship Bobb Asiimwe, committed two men to the Kabale High Court on charges of killing a 42-year-old woman.
The accused, Kabeshezi Enock (36) and Moses Mugarura, both residents of Ikamiro Village in Nyundo Parish, Bukimbiri county, were alleged to have, with malice aforethought, unlawfully killed Peninnah Orishaba on October 10, 2025.
Court Heard that the suspects reportedly found the victim asleep before attacking her and fatally injuring her by cutting her neck. The incident was discovered by the deceased’s mother, who found her lying in a pool of blood.
Investigations later led police to the suspects after tracking phone records, particularly calls made to the deceased shortly before her death.
https://thesource.co.ug/current-affairs/kisoro-murder-suspects-committed-to-kabale-high-court/
Kisoro District Service Commission Suspended Over Bribery, Recruitment Irregularities.
The Kisoro District Council suspended the District Service Commission (DSC) over allegations of bribery, nepotism and irregular staff recruitment, intensifying scrutiny of the district’s hiring processes just days after the chief Magistrate’s Court summoned district officials over ongoing recruitment disputes.
Those suspended include DSC Chairperson Erasmus Nshaka, Secretary Francesca Mugisha, and commission members, Fr. Emmanuel Safari, Richard Takamizawa, Peace Mbabazi and Gaudensia Busingye.
The commission members had petitioned the court seeking a temporary injunction against district authorities. They argued that attempts to halt the recruitment process and institute disciplinary measures against them would undermine the lawful operations of the commission.
Despite the petition, the officials were suspended on Thursday following recommendations by the council’s Works Committee, which called for the immediate suspension of commission activities pending investigations.
Kisoro Police Officers Arrested Over Secret Burial of Congolese National.
Police in Kisoro District arrested three police officers and two civilians in connection with the alleged murder of a Congolese national who reportedly died after being assaulted and detained at Nyabwishenya Police Station.
The deceased, only identified as Uwimana, a 30-year- old Congolese national, is alleged to have been assaulted by a group of suspects at a drinking place in Nyabwishenya on May 6, 2026 at around 9:00pm after reportedly threatening them.
According to Kigezi Region police spokesperson ASP Elly Maate, the suspects included Nsabimana John Bosco and Hakuzimana Mpunuseni, who was arrested, while other suspects were still on run.
Young Mutwa Child Actor Featured in Award-Winning Film “Small Gods” Allegedly killed in Kisoro.
Brenda Munezero, who was among the young talents featured in the film, was described by the production team as a bright, joyful and courageous child whose performance brought life and authenticity to the story.
The small Gods Production team led by a team member Ezrah Mugisha said they received the heartbreaking news describing Brenda’s death as a painful loss of young life full of promise.
RUKUNGIRI: Murder, Rape and Defilement Cases Dominate Rukungiri High Court Criminal Session
The High Court in Rukungiri commenced its Fourth Quarter in-house Criminal Session with 50 cases lined up for hearing as the Judiciary continues efforts to reduce case backlog and improve access to justice.
Speaking during the meeting, Assistant Registrar HW Atigo HW Hellen revealed that 50 cases had been cause-listed through a collaborative process involving stakeholders.
She urged advocates to adequately prepare and brief their clients before hearings, emphasizing the need for maximum cooperation from all parties to avoid unnecessary delays.
Police Arrest Six Suspects in Intelligence-led Operation in Rukungiri
Police in Rukungiri District arrested six suspects following an intelligence-led operation conduced aimed at strengthening security and fighting crime in the
area.
The suspects were identified as Nayamba Agness,21, Amazing Jomitom, 18, Asiimwe Ronald, 28, Orikiriza Laban,34, Sasirabo Ibrahim, a 16-year-old juvenile and Asimwe Ronald,19.
According to the Kigezi Region Police spokesperson, ASP Elly Maate, the operation was carried out at a local bar located along Court Road in Rukungiri Municipality.
https://thesource.co.ug/crime/police-arrest-six-suspects-in-intelligence-led-operation-in-rukungiri/.
RUKIGA: District Heightens Ebola Prevention Measures Amid National Outbreak
Rukiga District authorities intensified Ebola prevention and surveillance measures following the recent outbreak of the disease reported in different parts of Uganda.
Health officials in the district said surveillance teams had already been activated in different sub-counties to monitor communities and respond swiftly to any suspected cases.
Uganda had so far registered 19 Ebola cases, a development that prompted districts across the country to strengthen preparedness and response mechanisms in order to contain any possible spread of the disease.
https://kigezitv.com/rukiga-district-heightens-ebola-prevention-measures-amid-national-outbreak/.
Woman Heading for Overnight Prayers Killed in Rukiga Hit-and-Run Crash
The deceased was identified as Natukunda Eunice, an adult female and resident of Kariba Cell, Karogwa Parish in Bukinda Town Council, Rukiga District.
Police in Rukiga District were investigating a hit-and—run fatal road crash that claimed the life of a woman along the Kabale-Ntungamo highway on a Friday evening.
According to police, the tragic incident occurred on Saturday, at around 7:40 PM at Kakatunda Trading Centre. It was alleged that Natukunda walking from Kariba and heading for overnight prayers at Bukinda Parish when she attempted to cross the road.