Senior Reporter
The Bishop’s Annual Appeal Fund (BAAF) event in Rukiga district, held at Our Lady of Blessed Sacrament Kitanga parish in Kashambya Subcounty, unexpectedly transformed into a political campaign for the 2026 Rukiga district woman representative in parliament. The primary purpose of BAAF was to raise funds for the development of St. Ignatius University Kabale, which falls under the Kabale diocese, and it was overseen by Kabale Diocesan Bishop Callist Rubaramira.
The gathering drew the attendance of more than 12 parliamentarians, including notable figures like Katusiime Annet Mugisha, the women’s MP for Bushenyi, Sentai Muhamand, MP for Bukoto West, Dr. Kagabo Twaha, MP for Bukoto South, Javira Semwanga, representing Buyamba County, Herbert Edmond Aliko, MP for Soroti City, Linos Kibanda, North MP, Minister Sarah Mateeke, Silas Aogon, representing Kumi Municipality, Molly Asiimwe, women’s MP for Rwampara district, Jenifer Abaho Muheesi, women’s MP for Kazo district, and the incumbent MPs of Rukiga, among other dignitaries.
The unexpected political turn came when former Kabale and Rukiga district woman MP aspirant Atukunda Victoria Abigail urged the congregation to support Slyvia Alinaitwe Mwanake, who is vying for the Rukiga district woman MP seat currently held by Caroline Kamusiime Muhwezi. Abigail’s remarks led to confusion among the visiting MPs as they began declaring who had invited them, whether it was the current MP, Caroline Kamusiime, or Dr. Sylvia Alinaitwe Mwanake, the Deputy Managing Director of the National Water and Sewerage Corporation (NWSC), who also serves as the Chief Guest at the event.
Caroline Kamusiime Muhwezi, the incumbent Rukiga district woman MP, advised the people of Rukiga to entrust their leadership decisions to a higher power, emphasizing that leadership ultimately comes from God.
Rukiga county MP Rolland Ndyomugyenyi Bish expressed his gratitude to the Kabale diocese for initiating support for education through St. Ignatius University. He also clarified that his role on the Public Accounts Committee on Commissions, Statutory Authorities, and State Enterprises (COSASE) is focused on combating corruption, dispelling claims that he is engaged in political disputes.
As the Chief Guest at the event, Dr. Sylvia Alinaitwe Mwanake, the Deputy Managing Director of the National Water and Sewerage Corporation (NWSC), who oversees Finance, called for the promotion of subsistence farming as a means to foster community development.
Kabale Diocesan Bishop Callist Rubaramira emphasized that the primary purpose of the event was not politics but rather development. He assured that, as a bishop, he would pray for both candidates and leave the rest to God.
