Kabale-Senior Presidential Advisor on Agriculture and Local People, Peace Rugambwa, has strongly dismissed allegations that her team is collecting National Identification Numbers (NINs) from residents in the Kigezi sub-region ahead of Uganda’s January general elections, describing the claims as false, misleading and malicious.
Rugambwa was responding to a letter dated December 31, 2025, authored by Rev. Fr. Christmas Phillip Austin, the Rector of Rushoroza Cathedral Parish in Kabale Diocese.
In the letter, Fr. Austin alleged that members of Team Peace Rugambwa were writing down names, NIN numbers and contact details from national identity cards of Catholic faithful in Kabale District, with intentions of rolling out the exercise across the entire Kigezi region.
Addressing journalists at her residence in Nyabikoni Ward, Central Division of Kabale Municipality, Rugambwa categorically denied the accusations, insisting that neither she nor her team has ever engaged in collecting NINs or any sensitive personal data from Ugandans.
“I want to state clearly and without fear of contradiction that neither myself nor anyone working with me is collecting NIN numbers from any Ugandan,” Rugambwa said. “These allegations are completely false and are meant to mislead the public.”She explained that the ongoing registration exercise conducted by her team is purely meant for coordination and mobilization and only involves recording names and contact details, not information from national identity cards.
“What we do is simple coordination. We record names and phone contacts so that we can communicate easily with people during community activities. We do not ask for national IDs, and we do not record NINs,” she emphasized.
Rugambwa also rejected claims that the exercise specifically targets Catholics, as stated in the Rushoroza Cathedral Parish letter, saying the allegations unfairly paint her initiatives as sectarian.
“It is unfortunate that this exercise is being portrayed as one targeting Catholics. My work cuts across all religions, tribes and political affiliations. I believe in unity and inclusiveness,” she said.
The Senior Presidential Advisor noted that her political engagement in the Kigezi sub-region is anchored on promoting peace, unity and development, warning that Uganda’s stability should never be taken for granted.
“Peace is the foundation of development. Without peace, we cannot talk about progress. That is why my engagement in Kigezi is focused on uniting people and supporting government programs that uplift livelihoods,” Rugambwa said.
She cautioned Ugandans against sectarian politics, arguing that voting along religious lines risks denying communities competent and capable leaders.
“When people vote based on religion instead of competence, they end up suffering. Leadership should be about service delivery, not religious identity,” she warned.Rugambwa further criticized politicians who, in her view, exploit religion to gain political favor, saying such practices undermine democracy and national cohesion.In her remarks, she condemned voting patterns based on religious identity and took aim at the Ndorwa County East legislator, accusing him of poor performance and failure to effectively represent constituents.
“Leaders must be judged on performance, not on which church they attend. Some leaders hide behind religion yet they have nothing tangible to show for their time in office,” Rugambwa said.
She called on political leaders, religious institutions and the public to promote tolerance, peaceful engagement and issue-based politics as the country heads toward the general elections, stressing that unity remains key to Kigezi’s and Uganda’s development.
