Day

By Kweronda Ambrose
In Rukungiri………

Rukungiri district leaders from the Forum for Democratic Change party (FDC) have made a heartfelt appeal to Dr. Kiiza Besigye, urging him to reconsider his retirement from politics and re-enter the political arena.

The leaders strongly believe that Dr. Besigye’s leadership is crucial in resolving the current political impasse and the lack of direction within political parties at the national level.

Their appeal was made during a Born Again Crusade held at Bagahwe Trading Centre in Bugangari sub-county, Rukungiri district, on July 15. Prominent figures such as former Rukungiri Municipality MP Mr. Roland Mugume Kaginda, Rukungiri district FDC Chairperson Mr. Virginia Kyarugahe, former Woman MP Ms. Betty Bamukwasa Muzanira, and former Rujumbura county MP Mr. Fred Tumuheirwe Turyamuhweza were among those who openly requested Dr. Besigye’s return to active politics.

The leaders expressed that Dr. Besigye’s absence from the political arena has left a noticeable void in all political parties. Mr. Kaginda emphasized, “We were here thinking that the president (Museveni) was a god. The challenges you see us having in political parties, it’s because you relaxed and thought of testing whether there is another commander. I implore you to get back to full command. Speak now, and we shall listen.”

Ms. Muzanira highlighted the need for Dr. Besigye to allow leaders to initiate a campaign for his reelection in 2026. She emphasized the importance of mobilizing party members and other Ugandans who desire real change to register and establish party structures.

“We are ready to mobilize the young, the old, the weak, and the strong, so that all of us can campaign to have you back on the ballot. We need your permission to do this,” said Ms. Muzanira, who served as Rukungiri Woman MP for two years following a by-election.

Ms. Kyarugahe, the Rukungiri district party chairperson, pointed out that many people were hesitant to participate in party structure elections because they were awaiting Dr. Besigye’s decision on whether he would participate in the upcoming elections.

During a visit to Nyankoro village in the same sub-county, Mr. John Mbunduguru, an FDC leader and parish registrar, expressed the concerns of the people. He stated that people were unwilling to join the party register due to challenges within the party and a lack of clarity regarding Dr. Besigye’s stance on the upcoming elections.

“People are asking, are you coming back? They don’t want to get involved in another election where you are not a candidate or choose not to participate. We all want you to lead us. They tell us someone wants to sell our party, how can we trust those people leading us now?” Mr. Mbunduguru said.

However, Dr. Besigye remained dismissive of the electoral process as a means of change under President Museveni. He reiterated his previous stance that elections should only be utilized for mobilization to facilitate a peaceful transition for citizens to reclaim their right to choose leaders.

“For the challenges within the party, when we perceive that the leaders are struggling, we will intervene and restore order. We will never allow the party to go astray,” Dr. Besigye assured Mbunduguru.

During the crusade, Dr. Besigye remarked, “Since 2016, I have been campaigning and telling you that those who want to give me their votes do not have a vote. They do not have the power to vote for me. How can I trust people to vote for me when they themselves do not have a vote? The struggle I want us to engage in is to first have a vote to give, and then we can consider how to vote. Talking about an election without considering the power you hold is meaningless.”

In the 2021 elections, several FDC leaders in Rukungiri district lost their seats, and the voter turnout was only 42%. FDC conceded most of the elective positions in the district to the National Resistance Movement (NRM), which claimed over 90% of the seats.

Dr. Besigye attended the four-day crusade organized by Pastor Arthur Tabaro, who is also the LC I chairman (on FDC ticket) of Kanyankyende village in Bugangari Sub County.

In conclusion, Dr. Besigye reiterated his unwavering commitment to the struggle for a democratic country and assured everyone that he would not be swayed by any external influences.

By Alvin Twebaze
In Bushenyi…….
The sad news of the demise of Emeritus Archbishop of Catholic church Mbarara has left the entire catholic community and native relatives in Bushenyi in grief.

Bakyenga, whose journey as a priest started in 1971 at the age of 27, passed away in the wee hours of Tuesday at St. Francis Hospital, Nsambya

He was succeeded by Lambert Bainomugisha as the Catholic Ecclesiastical province of Mbarara- that incorporates diocese of Kabale,Kasese, Fortportal,and Hoima.

A fourth born in a family of ten children of Sipriano Kamuza and Maria Gakibayo of Bumbaire cell ,Igara Sub-county in present-day Bushenyi district, Archbishop Bakyenga was born on 30,June,1944.

He went to Ibaare Primary School, before he joined Ibanda Preparatory Seminary from 1958 until 1960.He attended his pre-primary school in the church building at Bweeza, writing on banana leaves and sand.

In 1961, he joined Kitabi Seminary, where he graduated with a High School Diploma. He was admitted to Bukalasa Minor Seminary, in present-day Kalungu District for his A-Level studies but he did not complete.

After teaching briefly at St. Paul’s Seminary Rushoroza, in Kabale District, he was then admitted at Katigondo National Major Seminary to study philosophy but abandoned the course after two years. At this point, Bishop John Baptist Kakubi of Mbarara, sent him to study at St Andrews College in Scotland, where he obtained a degree in Theology.

He was ordained a priest on 11 July 1971 at Mbarara at the age of 27. He served as priest in the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Mbarara, until 6 March 1989.

He was appointed Coadjutor Bishop of Mbarara, Uganda on 6 March 1989. He was consecrated as bishop on 24 June 1989 at Mbarara by Bishop John Baptist Kakubi, Bishop of Mbarara, assisted by Bishop Adrian Kivumbi Ddungu, Bishop of Masaka and Bishop Serapio Bwemi Magambo, Bishop of Fort Portal.

On 23 November 1991, he succeeded as bishop of Mbarara, replacing the late Bishop John Baptist Kakubi, who resigned. He was appointed first Archbishop of Mbarara on 2 January 1999, when it was elevated to status of Archdiocese.

His Grace Paul Bakyenga retired on April 25, 2020 after reaching the canonical year of retirement and was succeeded by His Grace Lambert Bainomugisha as the second Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Mbarara.

By Kweronda Ambrose
In Kanungu

A violent strike at Kihihi High School in Kanungu District on Saturday night resulted in injuries to approximately 56 students.

According to Gad Rugaaju Ahimbisibwe, the Deputy Resident District Commissioner of Kanungu, the incident occurred when the power suddenly went off during the night, plunging the school into darkness. Taking advantage of the situation, unidentified individuals vandalized school property, including classroom windows and electrical wiring.

Even the school head teacher, Kenneth Mugimba, fell victim to the chaos as his motor vehicle, a Rav 4 with the registration number UAV 976W, was not spared. Some students who were sleeping awoke to the commotion and began to flee the school. The situation escalated as the police intervened and fired shots, causing further panic among the students, particularly the girls.

Rugaaju revealed that out of the students fleeing in darkness, 56 sustained injuries. Upon investigation, it was discovered that the violent strike had been premeditated by certain students rather than being an attack by rebels, as initially suspected.

The investigations further unveiled a motive behind the strike, pointing to a group of students who were discontented with the school head teacher, Kenneth Mugimba, accusing him of mismanagement. The injured students were promptly rushed to Kihihi Health Center IV for medical treatment.

Rugaaju emphasized that ongoing security investigations aim to determine the exact cause of the strike, while the police have increased their presence to prevent potential future attacks.

On the other hand, Kenneth Mugimba, the school head teacher, asserted that the strike stemmed from a faction of students who expressed dissatisfaction with the suspension of one of their peers, identified only as Praise. The suspension was issued due to Praise being found in possession of a mobile phone, which is strictly prohibited on campus.

Mugimba clarified that any student caught with a mobile phone is subjected to suspension and required to contribute a concrete pole for the school’s fencing or pay 50,000 shillings to cover its cost. Praise, after being suspended, attributed the punishment to political disputes, claiming that he was being targeted for not openly supporting Patience Nkunda Kinshaba, the Member of Parliament for Kanungu District Woman.