In Brief

Royals setKAMPALA — Kabaka Ronald Mutebi and the Nnabagereka Sylvia Nagginda will meet President Yoweri Museveni at his Rwakitura country home on Friday. The Presidential Press Secretary, Mrs. Mary Okurut, yesterday said, “The President is meeting the Kabaka and the Nnabagereka on Friday at his home in Rwakitura.” The Nnabagereka is away in Nairobi for an international conference on reproductive health that opened yesterday.-----Army nets 20GULU — A joint operation by the UPDF and the Police has netted over 20 suspected Kony rebel allies from Amuru in Kilak county. The operation started about a week ago and is being supervised by the District Internal Security Officer and the army’s Internal Security Intelligence.-----Police killsKAMPALA — The Police on Tuesday shot and injured a suspected petty thief who snatched a handbag from a Makerere University student in Wandegeya, a city suburb. The an unidentified thug was rushed to Mulago Hospital but breathed his last upon reaching there.-----Exhibit seenKAMPALA — The Buganda Road Court yesterday inspected medical equipment worth US$300,000 (about sh525m) that was allegedly stolen by Dr. Ntwatwa Sikiziyivu Lule, a former dental surgeon at Mulago Hospital. A team from the court, led by the Grade One Magistrate, Vincent Mugabo, went to the Central Police Station where they saw the equipment.-----Guards faceKAMPALA — Three security guards were yesterday charged with theft of iron bars worth sh5.8m belonging to a private firm, China Najing. Robert Zerone, 35, of Kamwokya B. Bataringanya, 28, of Nsambya and Y. Okello, 27, of Kitintale are jointly charged with Robert Ekiso, 18, the company porter. They appeared before magistrate Flavia Nassuna and denied the charge. -----Thug killedIGANGA — A man suspected to be part of a gang that has been terrorising people at night was on Monday afternoon shot dead. The Police recovered a gun with 68 rounds of ammunition and a facemask when they searched the bag he was carrying. Grace Mwambazi was shot in the head from Nkono village on Kaliro road.-----57 nettedKAMPALA — The Police swooped the city centre on Monday and netted 57 suspected thugs. About 37 of them will appear in court. Kampala Police chief Ahmed Wafuba said the operation was carried out in areas around Biwologoma and clock tower. -----New officeMBALE — The Amnesty Commission is to open a demobilisation and resettlement office in the district to cater for ex-combatants in the eastern region who might want to surrender under the Amnesty law. The Commission chairman, Justice P.K. Onega, recently told The New Vision that Karuhanga Jerome had been posted to the district to man the office and facilitate former rebels to return.-----Power cutJINJA — Heavy rain caused a power blackout in the districts of Iganga, Mayuge and Bugiri. The incident happened on Tuesday when electricity poles in Kakira collapsed barely 24-hours after restoration. The district UEB engineer, Daniel Ibaale, said some of the poles were uprooted by the tough blustery weather. Sources said two poles fell in Kakira sugar plantation.-----Man chargedKAMPALA — A man who allegedly attempted to rape a 12-year-old school girl was yesterday charged with indecent assault. Kassim Sekabiito, 28, of Kawempe, allegedly committed the offence to heal his impotence. The Police said a native doctor advised Sekabiito to carry out the act claiming it would cure his impotence. Sekabiito appeared before Buganda Road Court Grade One magistrate Martin Mungao.-----Didi caseKAMPALA — West Moyo MP Agard Didi’s nomination was not supported by 10 registered voters, court has heard. Henry Rwaganika, representing Raphael Baku, the appellant, said “On the relevant form on which the 10 registered voters are supposed to indicate that they supported his candidature, the space provided for was left blank.” Rwaganika said yesterday while submitting before three judges Laetitia Kikonyongo, Justice Engwau and Kitumba.