Joseph Kiggundu

Members of the parliamentary committee on Presidential Affairs are rallying the government and non-governmental organisations for more support in refugee settlements in Uganda. They made the call during a fact-finding visit in Kyegegwa and Kasese districts last week. Mr Denis Onekalit Amere (Kitgum Municipality), who led the delegation, urged the government to increase funds for refugee-related activities. “What we have found on the ground in Kyaka II refugee, Kiryandogo and others is not good .

Officials pursuing the construction of a university in memory of former president Idi Amin have rejected a piece of land that had been selected for the project. The officials say the 150-acre piece of land in Garuga on Entebbe Road is owned by a Kenyan company linked to the late Chris Kirubi, a Kenyan businessman, and is set up for modern residential apartments. “The land at Garuga cannot host the university because it’s a residential area.

Uganda’s environment watchdog has taken over three abandoned sand mining sites in Lwera swamp along the Kampala-Masaka Highway, Monitor has learnt. Authorities say the National Environment Management Authority (Nema) “took over the mines following expiry of permits issued to private companies.” Lwera swamp, which stretches 20kms, is shared by the districts of Mpigi and Kalungu with the latter taking the biggest share.