Just as Jamaica is trying to recover from Hurricane Melissa's destruction, people are getting hit with higher power bills. The utilities office approved a seven percent hike on December statements for electricity used in November. This comes after many customers dealt with long blackouts from that late October storm.
The regulator said the increase was unavoidable. The hurricane messed up natural gas supplies, forcing the main power company, JPS, to burn pricier fuel to generate electricity. Storm damage also caused a huge drop in overall power sales, which normally spreads out costs. These factors together would have caused a much bigger price spike.
To soften the blow, the power company agreed to spread out some of the extra fuel...
Hurricane Melissa wrecked western Jamaica, flattening parishes like Westmoreland, Hanover, St. Elizabeth, and Trelawny. Many residents lost everything, needing basic shelter, food, and clothes. The Alkaline Foundation jumped in with a relief project, assembling packages with essential items and sometimes cash for these families.
Foundation rep Kereena Beckford said they targeted specific, often ignored communities such as Stratbougie in Savanna-la-Mar, plus Deeside and Bunkers Hill in Trelawny. A ten-person team delivered aid directly. Beckford noted they had no corporate sponsors, relying solely on the foundation and donations from generous individuals. She called the road to recovery long and difficult, but was moved by the gratitude...
Masicka threw some serious shade on a new track called 'System,' targeting Tommy Lee Sparta and name-checking fellow artists Gaza Kim, Lisa Hyper, and Gaza Slim. Kim first seemed stunned, but then a social media post showed her flipping the bird while the song played, a clear sign she was backing the diss against the Gaza faction's leadership. That did not sit well with everyone in the scene, though.
Another artist, Ryno, fired back in his own song, calling out Gaza Kim directly for gossiping. He shouted Lisa Hyper but questioned Kim's habit of minding other people's business. The lyric was a blunt callout, escalating the online feud.
Kim clapped back hard, referencing a viral video where Ryno appears to get punched. In a sung...
A musician named Marcue just dropped a video for his track 'just can't let go' that's hitting different, putting a raw spotlight on alcohol dependency. This Kingston-based artist, who blends Reggae with Dancehall, R&B, Pop, and hip-hop, made the clip to start real talk about a tough subject that hit his own family. He's working with producers like Computer Paul, Stephen Stanley, and Mark Hudson on an upcoming EP.
Marcue explained that watching addiction hurt people he cares about directly shaped the video's gritty story. The visuals dig into the fallout from substance abuse, showing how it strains personal connections and mental well-being. He feels the broader conversation about mental health in Jamaica still needs way more support...
A religious leader called for calm and fairness as the election season approaches. The Archbishop of Kampala, Paul Ssemogerere, spoke at a large Christmas event hosted by the Buganda Kingdom at Bulange. He told the crowd to select their leaders without violence, contrasting Uganda's often bloody polls with more peaceful transitions elsewhere.
He stated real peace requires faith and treating each other with basic human kindness. Ssemogerere argued that a just society is necessary for true stability, asking people to avoid actions that hurt or take advantage of others. He specifically mentioned ending discrimination, corruption, and the exploitation of vulnerable groups. The annual carol service, with attendees in white clothing...
A cultural leader warned people to avoid dangerous holiday behavior. The Katikkiro of Buganda, Charles Peter Mayiga, told a crowd at Bulange that overexcitement during Christmas often results in reckless driving and fatal accidents. He spoke during an event where the Buganda Kingdom handed over a large donation for an emergency ward at Nkozi Hospital, meant to help crash victims from the nearby highway.
Mayiga urged the public to stay disciplined and follow traffic rules. He also praised church-run health projects for saving lives. A hospital official stated the emergency unit's first phase is almost done, with more construction pending further funds. Organizers of the kingdom's fundraiser said they are running campaigns to teach...
An international humanitarian organization has started a major partnership with farming groups in eastern Uganda. The founder of We Care for Humanity, Maha Putri Mariam Leonor Torres Mastura, launched the collaboration at an event in Mbale City attended by hundreds of local farmers. The effort is being managed locally by Woniala Michael Gidongo, who was named the group's regional director for East Uganda.
The initiative focuses on agricultural investment and community support programs, aiming to help vulnerable groups and provide educational scholarships. The visiting leader emphasized a strategy of boosting farm economies to attract outside funding for long-term development. She also highlighted ongoing work with local cultural...
A youth coalition wants an official probe into rising campaign violence targeting young people ahead of the national elections. The Multiparty Youth Forum chairperson, Lynette Nanyonjo, criticized what she called brutal attacks on candidates and supporters, saying it hurts youth involvement. She pointed to social media footage showing alleged excessive force by security personnel and plainclothes individuals.
The forum is demanding detailed numbers on arrested or injured youths and their current status, along with the release of those detained for political reasons. Nanyonjo noted her group previously signed non-violent pledges with authorities and is now appealing for those commitments to be honored. She stressed their push is for...
A political candidate has praised the Buganda Kingdom's prime minister for finishing a long restoration project. Abraham Luzzi, who is running for a Kampala parliamentary seat, commended Owek. Charles Peter Mayiga for overseeing the renovation of the Kasubi Tombs after more than ten years of work.
Luzzi highlighted the cultural importance of this milestone and called for the Kingdom to have a stronger voice in national politics. He also pushed for greater official use of the Luganda language, citing its millions of speakers and suggesting parliamentary representation matching its prevalence. The candidate reiterated his own focus on cultural promotion and inclusive governance.
