By Gerald Niyirinda
Rtd. General Edward Kale Kayihura yesterday paid a courtesy visit to the Bishop of Muhabura Diocese Rt. Rev. Mbitse Godfrey in what seems to be a conclusion of an eventful two weeks in Kisoro District.
The former Inspector General of Police who was also accompanied by the Parish Priest of Gatete Rev.Fr. Safari Emmanuel thanked Bishop Mbitse for gracing his home welcoming party on October 7th, 2023.
The details of their meeting at the bishop’s residence still remain unclear however what stands out is the intentions by Kale Kayihura to see a united Kisoro District.
Kale Kayihura, who up and moved his life to Lyantonde District at Kasagama Farm from as early as 2019 has managed to transform tragic circumstances of lock and key into making real money from commercialized farming.
Kayihura, a natural born leader says joining active politics is not what interests him for the foreseeable future.
Instead, his desire is to continue carrying out farming and settling into a quiet life.
His actions, in the last two weeks while in Kisoro have proven that he carries the X factor, whether he admits it or not.
The X factor means to possess a special talent or quality.
At the weekend, during a fundraiser for the renovation of St. Mary’s Catholic Church, the veteran army officer stressed the importance of Kisoro Leaders setting aside their difference in order to work for the people.
“Let our leaders have one voice concerning the issues affecting our people. It is then that you will be heard. however, if one leader says this and another says the other, we shall never realize development, Kayihura said.
Over 200 Million Shillings was raised from notable personalities including the Consular of Uganda to Vietnam Ceasar Mulenga, Paul Bucyana (MP), Eng. Alex Niyonsaba (MP) and Dr. James Nsaba Buturo (MP) among others.
Kale Kayihura managed to contribute 20 Million Shillings.
At the Bishop’s Annual Appeal Fund (BAAF) held at St. Peter’s Catholic Church, Gisoro, the retired General encouraged the Members of Parliament to focus on loving one another and distance themselves from Conflict which affects service delivery to the people of Kisoro.
Kayihura’s experience in leadership at command level and persuasive ability to influence probably puts him in the perfect position to inspire Kisoro MPs to find a reason to work together.
The elusive Kisoro Municipality Member of Parliament Paul Bucyana remains misunderstood by a large section of his constituents. His ability to lobby projects to the heart of the district remain in question after nearly three years as the area MP despite having an abundance of resources, both social and economic.
Bukimbiri County MP Eddie Kwizera has proven that he can walk the talk and is willing to go at it by himself. Carrying his King James Bible and a Notebook everywhere he goes, the bullish legislator is not extending an olive branch to any MP anytime soon.
State Minister for Youth and Children Affairs and Woman MP for Kisoro Sarah Mateke Nyirabashitsi has managed to capitalize on the name she inherited from her father and uses it widely. She moves through Kisoro District stealthily meeting small groups of women, giving out basic household items but hardly stops to address pertinent issues that include increased cases of Gender Based Violence in homes, Alcoholism, Juvenile delinquents and defilement among others.
Hon. Sarah Mateke managed to inspire fear over love, and this applies to the people she serves and the leaders she is supposed to work with.
Bufumbira South MP Eng. Alex Niyonsaba ‘Seruganda’ is a leader who wields real power, both at Parliament and down on the ground. He is loved by those who have benefited from him but his true potential as a leader has yet to be realized.
Hon. Niyonsaba is the kind of leader, who when called upon will show up and this quality needs to be tapped into for the benefit of Kisoro.
Elder and Veteran Politician for Bufumbira East Hon. Dr. James Nsaba Buturo has all the makings of a great leader and has valiantly served the people of Kisoro through promotion of talent development, health and asking people to live in harmony.
As a seasoned Politician, paving way for the next generation and grooming the next leader to take over from where he has reached would be a good climax to an illustrious political career, however the ball remains in Hon. Nsaba Buturo’s firm hands.
Three-time Bufumbira North MP John Kamara Nizeyimana, a former teacher and now a commercial tea farmer prefers to work in isolation of other MPs, and this has endeared him to the people.
The love for Hon. Kamara by his people, has over the years slowly been eroding away by his failure to choose which wars to fight and those to ignore as well as lack of transparency and credibility in financial matters of Government projects in the area.
Hon. Kamara’s lobbying skills in Parliament are yet to be witnessed but with time still on the clock, maybe he just might surprise us one of these days.
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