Tempers flare as Peace Rugambwa walks out of reconciliation meeting with Minister Muhwezi.

Rukungiri: Peace Rugambwa, the driving force behind the ‘Boona Bageigahare Nyekundeire Group,’ an initiative endorsed by President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni to boost onion farming in Kigezi and Ankole regions on Thursday July 18, 2024 walked out of reconciliation meeting convened by Security Minister Gen. Jim Muhwezi.

The meeting held at Rukungiri district headquarters, aimed to implement President Museveni’s directives following a previous meeting at State House Entebbe on March 12, 2024, addressing issues involving Rugambwa and her organization.

During the State House meeting allegations surfaced that Rugambwa was collecting 12,000 Ugandan shillings from each beneficiary as a membership fee.

Minister Jim Muhwezi outlined five guidelines from President Museveni, including refunding the fees, investigating onion growing in Rukungiri district, and advising Rugambwa to collaborate with district leaders while focusing on the core project.

Disagreements begun when Rugambwa, in her presentation, requested direct cooperation to deliver benefits to Boona Bageigahare beneficiaries without district interference.

She claimed President Museveni assured her personal reimbursement, causing further discord among attendees, including Minister Jim Muhwezi, Dr. Elisa Rutahigwa (MP for Rukungiri municipality), Rukungiri RDC, and LCV Chairperson.

Though she left the meeting, members made three resolutions: refunding the 12,000 shillings to organization beneficiaries as directed by President Museveni, establishing a joint committee to oversee refunds, and urging the President to honor promises made to registered beneficiaries besides the fee refund.