By Naboth Isaac Niwagaba
Kabale, 24-12-2023:
Grace Ankunda Bwesigye, a Kabale District women MP contender, has denied reports linking her political ambitions to an alleged political and religious syndicate during an official event held at the Cephas Inn Hotel. Ankunda used the press conference, which was attended by journalists and well-wishers, to announce her intention to run for the Kabale District Woman MP seat in the next 2026 general elections.
Having previously contested twice for the Ndorwa East Parliamentary seat, Ankunda, who lost to incumbent MP Wilfred Niwagaba, faced inquiries from journalists about allegations that she had been influenced by a coalition of religious and political figures to shift her focus to the Kabale District Woman MP seat. Ankunda, visibly confident and flanked by her husband, Mr. Emmanuel Bwesigye, responded by labeling the claims as “false and malicious.”
“I have contested for the Ndorwa MP seat twice, in 2016 and 2021, and I have never been sponsored by anyone apart from my husband,” Ankunda asserted, pointing to her spouse as a testament to her independence in the political arena.
Ankunda further condemned the spread of propaganda, particularly religious sentiments, that has tainted politics in Kabale District in recent times. She urged the media to take the lead in combating this growing vice, which often leads to sectarian-based violence, especially during election campaigns.
“I personally won’t build my campaigns on religion because that would be dangerous for not only my political career but also the people I’m seeking to lead,” Ankunda emphasized. “I would actually wish to see people from all religious backgrounds rally behind me so that we can send a signal of unity and refusal to accept agents of division based on religion.”
Mr. Emmanuel Bwesigye, Ankunda’s husband, supported his wife’s statements, providing testimonies of his unwavering financial support since she entered politics in 2015. He recounted how she defeated three men in the NRM election for Member of Parliament in Ndorwa County East, even though she ultimately lost the general election the following year.
“I had not identified the leadership trait in my wife until 2015, when she told me she was going to try her luck in politics. I gave her all my support, and that is exactly why she’s been moving on despite the previous defeats,” Mr. Bwesigye declared.
Religion and Politics in Kabale: A Historical Perspective
Kabale District has a history of religious-based electoral violence, notably during the 1993 C.A. and 1996 parliamentary elections. President Yoweri Museveni once intervened, asking former Kabale Municipality Dr. Ruhakana to withdraw from the 2001 MP contest due to anticipated clashes between Catholics and Anglicans, rooted in the 1981 political battle between the UPC and DP.
Although the district enjoyed relative peace from religious politics between 2005 and 2021, recent years have seen the resurgence of religious sentiments. Deputy RCC Sheikh Kassim Kamugisha, in particular, claimed that the 2021 Kabale Municipality election was marred by religious divisions.
Addressing mourners at her mother’s burial ceremony two weeks ago, Sheikh Kassim Kamugisha highlighted voting patterns based on religious affiliations and emphasized the need to address this issue for the development of the district. His statements found support from Kabale Muslim District Chairperson Hajji Issa Tindyebwa, who called for condemnation and action against the problematic voting patterns in Kabale.
As the political landscape in Kabale evolves, Grace Ankunda aims to navigate these challenges, emphasizing unity and inclusivity in her bid for the Kabale District Woman MP seat.
