Priest Balloons Mukiga Girl.Drive Hot News Double Click And Read More...

Reverend Julius Kyarikunda, the Parish Priest of Ikamiro Church of Uganda in Kigezi diocese has been implicated in a sex scandal. Kyarikunda is being accused of impregnating Medias Akankwasa, a Christian in his church and abandoning her together
 with her child.

Akankwasa alleges that in July 2013,  Kyarikunda visited her home at night to inform them about the death of their relative but her mother informed the priest that she didn’t have money for transport. As a result, the priest reportedly volunteered to give them some money for transport but said it was a his residence.

According to Akankwasa, her mother directed her to accompany the priest to his home to pick up the money to enable them travel the next day for burial. She claims that on her way back home after getting the money from the priest, he followed her up to Ikamiro playground while pestering her for sex.

Akankwasa says that she was reluctant to give in for fear of conceiving, but the priest promised to exercise some precaution since they didn’t have any protection. She says that months after she realized that she was pregnant, and informed the priest, who distanced himself.

Akankwasa claims that after delivering her baby she started reciving threats from the priest warning her against revealing their secret to anyone. According to Akankwasa despite her pleas to the police and Muko  sub county Community development officer to prevail on the priest to provide for their five month old baby have not yielded any positive results.

She wants the leadership of Kigezi diocese to intervene and rescue her and her child since government officials have turned a deaf ear. Akankwasa’s disclosure has not gone down well with Christians under Ikamiro parish.  They have called for the immediate resignation of their parish priest.

Ronald Tumuhimbise, a Christian argues that the man of God has failed to lead by example and should therefore step down immediately since they can no longer trust him.

Slyvia Kyoshabire, another member of the parish says the scandal has become a big challenge because the Christians are now questioning the ability of the man of God to lead the flock.

She asks the Diocese of Kigezi to intervene and save the church from embarrassment. She claims that the newly born baby resembles the embattled priest and that there are high chances that he might be responsible.

But Reverend Kyarikunda, the embattled Priest denies any wrong doing and says he is a victim of witch hunt.

Reverend Justus Twinomujuni, the Archdeon of Nyaruhanga Archdeaconry which Supervises the Parish says that the church has not kept a deaf ear to the matter. He says there are efforts to resolve the situation and stop the confusion resulting for the sex scandal involving the priest.

Teach relevant skills, minister tells universities.Drive Hot News

GULU

The major challenge facing universities in the country is relevance derived from the courses they teach, Higher Education minister, Dr John Chrysostom Muyingo, has said.

Speaking at the 10th graduation ceremony of Gulu University on Saturday, the minister commended the institution for providing critical skills to students of the region emerging from war. “We appreciate the University for educating students from this region that is recovering from a long war. The government is committed to supporting the University,” Dr Muyingo said.

The minister emphasised that education provided by universities must be relevant to the needs of the population. 
“In order to survive in this current competitive world, universities should demonstrate a high level of relevance and skills imparted to their students must answer the needs of the market,” Dr Muyingo said.

The impact 
“If these graduates go on the streets someone or even the families where they come from will blame the university. We must demonstrate the relevance in the skills imparted, research conducted and outreach activities undertaken. Their impact will determine the students’ survival and employability,” he added.

He said research done by universities must be beneficial to the population where it’s found and should improve the quality of lives of the population. The minister cautioned students against living a reckless life. The graduation saw a total 1,379 students being awarded; certificates, diploma, Bachelors’ degrees, Master’ degrees, doctorates and honorary degrees.

The Gulu University Vice Chancellor, Prof Jack Nyeko Penmogi, asked resident to donate land for construction of a permanent campus. He said the university operates at a temporary site, a former institution of agriculture, because it hasn’t yet acquired its own land. He said people in Lango sub-region, where the university has a branch, have donated land.

The university awarded an honorary Doctor of Science to Mr Simon Nyutu Ghicharu, the founder of Mt Kenya University. Mr Ghicharu was recognised for the numerous contributions he has made towards the development of science courses and growth of tertiary education in Kenya and within East Africa

Botswana president wins second term in power.Drive Hot News

A Botswana electoral commission worker explains the proceedings to voters as they prepare to cast their vote at a polling station in Gaborone during Botswana's general elections on October, 24 2014. Botswana's ruling party faced an unprecedented test against an invigorated opposition as one of Africa's most stable democracies voted in general elections on October 24. PHOTO

GABORONE

Botswana President Ian Khama has won a second term in power after his party secured a parliamentary majority at the polls, an official announced Sunday.

High Court Chief Justice Maruping Dibotelo said in a statement that Khama "has been re-elected as the President of the Republic after his political party, the Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) garnered at least 29 of the 57 parliamentary seats" at Friday's general election.

Khama will be inaugurated on Monday, said Dibotelo in a statement broadcast on national radio and television.

The newly formed Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC), led by Duma Boko, which was contesting elections for the first time becomes the official opposition with 12 seats in parliament.

Khama, 61, is the son of the country's first president, Seretse Khama. He is also a traditional chief of the Bangwato clan and benefited from his strong rural support.

But he faced a challenge in urban areas, where opposition parties have made inroads since the formation in 2010 of a breakaway party, the Botswana Movement for Democracy (BMD), which is now part of the UDC coalition.

NO CELEBRATIONS

No celebrations took place in the streets of Gaborone after the announcement of the results in the early hours of Sunday morning.

Full results are yet to be published and scores of people, particularly UDC supporters, were still eagerly gathered at counting stations.

The UDC has accused Khama of becoming increasingly authoritarian. The umbrella grouping won seats in several former BDP strongholds, including the capital Gaborone.

"The UDC did well for a new party, but naturally we were hoping for more votes to topple the BDP. It was never to be," said Seakamela Motsoaledi, a UDC party representative.

Botswana was has been governed by the BDP since independence from Britain, had cautioned that this year's election would be the most challenging for the party.

Khama's is faced with the task of diversifying the economy of the diamond-rich southern African nation and improving the lives of the 2 million population.

With the global financial crisis leading to a drop in diamond revenues, Khama's government had halted planned investment, leading to growing unemployment, in a country known as one of Africa's most stable democracies.

He had ran an election campaign based on the country's past economic successes, pointing at the progress made in health care provision and good governance.

Former opposition Botswana Congress Party took two seats. Electoral authorities said tallying of local council ballots was still ongoing, in an election where some 800,000 people were registered to vote

Liberate yourself by learning to speak the truth all the time.Drive Hot News

Can we all agree that from today, we will all start telling the truth? It is less time-consuming, liberating, and might just get you what you want. PHOTO | FILE 

Tell me, why are we so averse to telling the truth?

We would rather spin tall tales that offer false hope and cause unnecessary antagonism than simply tell it as it is, which is much simpler and less time consuming.

The other day, someone was complaining about a mutual friend who, for the past one year, has been promising to pay money he owes her — a promise he is yet to fulfil. The last time he made this pledge, he told her that he was outside the building that houses her office, and that he was on his way up.

Four hours later, he still had not turned up, and had gone mteja. That was two months ago. She has, of course, called him many times but he refuses not pick up her calls. Wouldn’t it have been much easier for him to say that he is unable to repay, or ask her to give him more time to come up with the money?

I find myself snorting with irritation whenever I turn on the radio in the morning to hear Kenyans discussing their pet subject on air — the disappointments that are their husbands or wives.

For instance, men often complain that their wives no longer make the effort to look attractive like they did when they were dating; that they have grown fat and “let themselves go”.

This could be a fact, but what good does telling a radio host do? Why not share your dissatisfaction with your wife instead?

If you feel that she needs to shed some kilos or wear more flattering clothes while at home, let her know. Complaining about it on national radio serves no purpose, save entertaining, or irritating, bored commuters stuck in traffic jams.

SHAMEFUL TRUTH

My observation is that although the truth can be sometimes shameful, painful or embarrassing, it is the only way towards positive transformation; besides, it is the only effective way to unburden your heart.

Also, most people are receptive to the truth, even though they may act offended initially. So, please, if you cannot stand your wife’s weave, tell her! And when next she asks you whether an outfit “makes her look big”, say yes if you think so.

Going through the “agony aunt” sections in newspapers, local and foreign, most of the questions asked are about relationships, and many want to know whether their boyfriend or girlfriend loves them.

A typical question goes something like this: “Lately, my boyfriend does not pick my calls, and when he calls back a few days later, he says that he could not speak to me because he was busy – does he still love me?”

I wouldn’t blame you if you just rolled your eyes. However, while the answer may seem obvious to you and me, some people find it difficult to read non-verbal cues, and would rather hear it said out loud.

My point? If you’re no longer interested in someone, tell them outright, instead of resorting to madharau ndogo ndogo (treating someone with contempt), as someone I know would say. This truth might be difficult to say, but it will free both of you.

And since we’re talking about honesty, maybe it is time you told that friend who chews with the mouth open to try doing it with it closed, instead of trying to hide your disgust.

The same goes for the one who chews gum noisily, or the one that has the unpalatable habit of probing the nose with the fingers.

Can we all agree that from today, we will all start telling the truth? It is less time-consuming, liberating, and might just get you what you want.

KU students’ week showcases talent.Drive Hot News

Kenge Kenge Orutu System dancers Delet Opiyo and Boniface Mango presents a Dholuo folk dance during the Kenyatta University Culture Week on 0ctober 24 at the Kenyatta University Main Campus. 

The Kenyatta University Arts Festival started on a high note on Tuesday at the university’s grounds.

The multi-discipline one-week event incorporates acrobatics, visual arts, applied arts, comedy, cuisine, dance, fashion, film, exhibitions, literature, music, theatre and sports.

The festival provides an opportunity for Kenya to celebrate her great cultural wealth, and takes the audience through a journey of Kenya’s and a cross-section of the world’s cultures and traditions. The festival ends today with final presentations at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre, according to the event’s chairperson, Dr Evelyne Mushira.

Machakos County Governor Dr Alfred Mutua was the chief guest during the official opening.

Dr Mushira said the festival envisages a situation whereby the cultural event enhances knowledge of Kenyans on the various and dynamic cultures of Kenya and the world, thereby enhancing cultural tolerance for peaceful co-existence and development.

TALENTED PERFORMERS

Kenyatta University Culture Week was established in July 1992 after the realisation that the vast student population was in dire need of an avenue to discover, develop and express their varied talents in the performing arts and sports. From inception, the culture week has attracted an enormous following not only in Kenya but within Africa and throughout the world. It attracts about 3,000 performers in different disciplines who have kept full-house audiences glued to their  seats.

The KU Culture Week has had a significant impact on the Kenyan arts and entertainment scene. Leading Kenyan poetess Caroline Nderitu is a product of the Culture Week while the Reddykyulass trio perfected their trade through performing in annual Culture Week festivals.

The same applies to Mdomo Baggy and Kajairo and most recently Karis the Entertainer and Sleepy, both of the Churchill Show, who are currently  students at KU.

Indeed our media houses have benefited greatly by the steady supply of reporters and news anchors who perfected their trade in Kenyatta University; Janet Kanini (NMG), David Mule (QTV) Koome Kazungu (QFM), Eric Killing aka Ali Baba (QFM), Alex Mathenge (QFM), Binti Righa (QFM), DJ Mista Qym (QFM), DJ Terots (Hope FM)  to mention only but a few.

In the fashion and beauty world, Mr and Miss Kenyatta University have always done the University and the Nation proud. 

Our finalists have taken the fashion and beauty industry by storm, bagging titles such as Mr & Miss Universities, Miss Tourism Kenya, Mr Universities International and our fashion show models have graced numerous catwalks working with both local and international designers.

Success in social media is about creating a buzz.Drive Hot News

Success in social media is about creating conversations. The idea is simple: Put online what is pressing at the right time, popularise it, accord it high visibility, and ensure it is a low-effort, high-impact affair. PHOTO | FILE .

Success in social media is about creating conversations.

The idea is simple: Put online what is pressing at the right time, popularise it, accord it high visibility, and ensure it is a low-effort, high-impact affair.

Just like that, you become a social media activist.

And the opportunities for social media campaigns abound. Perhaps it is this fact that injects fleeting enthusiasm into the minds of many.

For, in almost every sector, there are to be found those who illegalise what is genuine, invalidate what is right and mock what is irreproachable.

Expectant, we take to social media. We create pages, upload videos, post tweets and initiate online campaigns. The online citizenry likes, shares and/or retweets. Noise is made. Petitions are signed.

But suddenly the din dies down; the posts and videos become a blur in an online world where millions others are uploaded every second. Deflated, everybody retreats to their enclaves and leave a few spirited ones to carry on with the crusade.

SOCIAL MEDIA ACTIVISM

But establishing a workable social media strategy is about more than posting an update to inform or demand – it goes beyond relevance or appeal.

Success is about being able to create and maintain a conversation with your audience. John Rampton, writing in Forbes, says: “If you’re not generating conversations or new subscribers, or making any money, then whatever you’re doing has failed.”

The idea is that there is no point creating something, however worthwhile, if nobody is going to check it out, to endorse it.

Ory Okolloh, in her blog, Kenyan Pundit, exemplifies social media activism that attempts to create and keep conversations going. The comments that follow each post are not just those of writers, but hers as well.

Sometimes, she will take a reader’s comment and weave it into her own script, thereby sustaining one continuous conversation that touches on a range of matters on society, politics and governance.

It helps that she writes to try and influence a change in attitudes – what this does is that it gives people a chance to reflect, seek opinions and weigh in, and to be part of the conversation. People tune out if all one does is shouting without listening.

In a league of its own is Jackson Biko’s Bikozulu which, though not about activism, hoists up and breezes one along with its beautiful prose.

Bikozulu is unique in that the author gives readers space to post their own stories. If the blog were about activism – admittedly, this is pure conjecture – it is something that even those glorified social media snobs would find hard to pass up.

The thing is, social media campaigns need to cause a buzz for them to have impact. Facebook is great because it is the most commonly used social medium.

But it may not be for you if your aim is to promote a jigger-eradication campaign, for example. That is something better articulated through YouTube – show people something that affects their emotions and you will have won them over. Twitter, on the other hand – at least that is how it has been profiled – simply won’t work if people do not know you.

Want people to boycott a certain brand because the company slaves its workers 15 hours a day and pays them less than half the minimum wage?

Assuming you can articulate that in 120 characters; who are you? Why should we listen to you? How many followers do you have? Are they hooked enough to keep retweeting what you say ... But put that same message on Facebook, packaged in a brief video or an appropriate captioned photo and you create enough attention to influence.

RIGHT STRATEGY

At this point, Dead Beat Kenya comes to mind. The narrative on its page reads thus: “A descriptive term that refers to parents of either gender, who have freely chosen not to be supportive, or who do not pay their child-support obligations”.

For the duration it was open to subscription, it created fervour alright, and even had most FM stations holding discussions about it.

Anonymous voices found expression. But then it all died down. So, how many men began paying upkeep after their photos and phone numbers were splashed online?

We will never know. For one, it is a crude way of righting a wrong and, besides, those “accused” do not get the chance to tell their version of the story.

Social media activism, just like every other cause, is all about strategy.

Lose the plan and you will have lost the game.

Health ministry to replace all unqualified hospital managers.Drive Hot News

A mother and her baby at Ogur Health Centre IV in Lira District recently. The Annual Health Sector Report says Mubende Regional Referral Hospital tops the list of hospitals where mothers have high chances of dying while giving birth. It is followed by Arua and Hoima hospitals respectively. 

KAMPALA. 
The Ministry of Health is to redeploy all hospital heads without qualifications in hospital management, the State minister for Health in Charge of General Duties, Dr Elioda Tumwesigye, has said.

The development follows a report from the 20th Joint Health Sector Review meeting showing risky hospitals for pregnant mothers during delivery coupled with poor performance.

The Annual Health Sector Report revealed that Mubende Regional Referral Hospital topped the list of hospitals where mothers have high chances of dying while delivering.

Mubende was followed by Arua and Hoima hospitals respectively. Low risk hospitals for mothers were named as Naguru, Mengo and Kabale.

Dr Tumwesigye said so far six hospital superintendents have been redeployed and plans for recruiting new ones are ongoing.
According to the minister, hospital superintendents in acting positions without hospital management qualification will not survive the knife.

The hospitals were assessed based on: admissions, outpatient visits, deliveries, antenatal care, family planning, postnatal and immunisation.

However, Dr Tumwesigye said hospital performance differences are informed by the level of staffing, funding and equipment. “The worst performing hospitals like Mubende had only one doctor,” Dr Tumwesigye said, adding that all gaps have been identified and will be fixed.

He also said the ministry is to recruit more 3,000 health workers on permanent contract to address the challenge of human resource deficit in the country.

State minister for Primary Health Care Sarah Opendi, said: “This joint review discussed matters of accountability, let’s be accountable to our people in showing value for money, reducing maternal mortality and neonatal mortality.