Museveni Suspends Peace Rugambwa’s Registration Exercise

Kigezi: President Yoweri Museveni has temporarily stopped a village-level exercise to collect National Identification Numbers (NINs) and personal details in the Kigezi sub-region.

The programme had been led by Peace Rugambwa, the Senior Presidential Advisor on Agriculture. It was suspended on January 3, after a meeting held at Rushoroza in Kabale with the leadership of Kabale Catholic Diocese.

The meeting was attended by the Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Rt. Hon. Thomas Tayebwa, the Vicar General Msgr. John Vianney Sunday, and Peace Rugambwa. Tayebwa delivered a message of reconciliation from President Museveni to the Church leaders.

The Catholic Church had earlier raised concerns about the registration exercise. To avoid misunderstandings, suspicion, and tension during the election period, the leaders agreed to suspend the programme until after the elections.

Tayebwa said the exercise will resume later, but only after holding consultative meetings with key stakeholders from different religious denominations so that the public clearly understands the programme.

During the meeting, Peace Rugambwa apologized to the Diocese, and the clergy warmly accepted the apology. The discussions also emphasized the long-standing good working relationship between the Catholic Church, President Museveni, and the NRM.

The leaders reaffirmed their commitment to working together to fight poverty and promote community development across the region.