Written By | Our Reporter
Senior Presidential, Advisor on Agriculture Ms. Peace Rugambwa
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Kabale
Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Rt Hon Thomas Tayebwa, acting on behalf of President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, has brokered a reconciliation between the State and the Kabale Catholic Diocese following concerns raised by the Church over an unverified village registration exercise reportedly linked to the office of the Senior Presidential Advisor on Agriculture, Ms Peace Rugambwa.
The closed-door meeting was held at the Kabale Diocesan headquarters in Rushoroza and was attended by senior clergy led by the Vicar General, Msgr John Vianney Sunday, alongside government representatives.
Tayebwa delivered a message of reconciliation from the President, emphasising the importance of dialogue, mutual respect and the preservation of the long-standing partnership between the Catholic Church and the State.
Ms Peace Rugambwa apologised to the Church leadership for any distress, misunderstanding or discomfort caused by the registration exercise
The meeting followed an official diocesan communiqué issued on December 31, 2025, which raised alarm within the Catholic community over reports that individuals were moving from village to village collecting National Identification Numbers (NINs), names and contact details, particularly in Catholic-dominated areas.
In the statement, issued by Our Lady of the Good Shepherd Cathedral Parish–Rushoroza with the permission of competent ecclesiastical authority and signed by Rev Fr Christmas Philip Austen, the Diocese said the exercise was unverified and lacked a clear explanation from competent government authorities.
The individuals involved reportedly claimed to be acting under the authority of Ms Rugambwa and indicated that the information being collected was intended to assist people after the elections.
However, the Diocese said it had not received any official, clear or substantiated communication explaining the purpose, legality, timing or selective focus of the registration exercise, particularly during an election period.
The Church further expressed concern that some members of the team were allegedly using derogatory, uncouth and defamatory language, including what the Diocese described as hate speech, heightening anxiety among the faithful.
As a precaution, the Diocese directed all priests, catechists, church leaders and Christians not to participate in, support or facilitate the exercise, and formally notified Resident District Commissioners and District Police Commanders across Kabale, Kisoro, Kanungu, Rukungiri, Rubanda and Rukiga districts.
It was this formal directive, coupled with growing public concern, that prompted State intervention and the subsequent meeting convened by Tayebwa on behalf of the President.
During the engagement, Ms Peace Rugambwa apologised to the Church leadership for any distress, misunderstanding or discomfort caused by the registration exercise. The apology was warmly received by the clergy, who described the meeting as candid and constructive.
Both parties agreed to temporarily suspend the registration programme until after the elections to avoid suspicion and misunderstanding. It was further agreed that the programme would only resume after consultative meetings with key stakeholders, including leaders from different religious denominations, to ensure clarity, transparency and community confidence.
Participants reaffirmed their shared commitment to fighting poverty, noting that while the Church supports development initiatives, such programmes must be implemented through consultation, lawful procedures and respect for institutional boundaries, especially during politically sensitive periods.
Government officials clarified that there were no allegations of criminal wrongdoing against Ms Rugambwa, stressing that the Rushoroza engagement was preventive and reconciliatory rather than disciplinary.
The meeting was widely viewed as timely, with both the Church and the State expressing optimism that improved communication would strengthen cooperation and preserve trust as the country navigates the election season.
Torch Media Africa
