By Andrew Irumba
Rukiga – In what is already being dubbed “the political miracle of the decade”, the NRM presidential candidate Yoweri Kaguta Museveni on Tuesday received the most unexpected endorsement yet — blessings from the fiery and outspoken Rev. Fr. Gaetano Batanyenda, the man who for decades stood as Kigezi’s loudest critic of Museveni’s rule.
Crowds in Rukiga gasped, murmured, then exploded into chants as Father Gaetano, the self-styled “conscience of Kigezi,” placed his hands on Museveni and prayed for victory in the 2026 race. For many, this was the moment the political ground in Kigezi shifted.
But Why Did Gaetano Cross The Line?
This is the question sending shockwaves from Kabale to Kampala.
For decades, the priest has been a thorn in the NRM’s flesh — attacking corruption, questioning Museveni’s longevity, and openly siding with opposition forces in every election cycle. Gaetano was the spiritual and ideological backbone of the anti-Museveni wave in Kigezi.
So What Broke Him?
What Frustrated The Priest Who Preached Defiance For 30 Years? Or What Promise Did Museveni Whisper Into His Ear In Rukiga?
Opposition Betrayed Him? Insider Sources Whisper
According to highly placed political operatives in Kabale, Father Gaetano has been “deeply angered by the selfishness, opportunism, and internal fights” within the opposition camps he has supported for years.
Sources claim:
- Some opposition leaders only remember Gaetano during election season.
- Promises of moral and logistical support to his community projects were never fulfilled.
- He was sidelined in recent political strategies despite being their strongest mobiliser in Kigezi.
“They used him, dumped him, then returned when it suited them,” a top Kigezi political insider whispered to us.
The Museveni Effect: Calm, Courtesy And Promises
Unlike the opposition chaos, Museveni reportedly approached Gaetano with “respect and statesmanship”.
The President is said to have:
- Promised direct government support to key community projects Gaetano has been fighting for.
- Tabled practical improvements for Kigezi’s roads, health and education infrastructure.
- Listened to the priest’s long-standing complaints about youth unemployment and declining tea prices.
One source put it bluntly:
“Museveni offered him solutions. The opposition offered him slogans.”
The Spiritual Angle: Gaetano’s ‘Divine Shift’
Church insiders describe the move as a “conviction, not conversion.”
After months of reflection, Gaetano reportedly concluded that constant antagonism had yielded nothing for his people.
“He told colleagues that he wants results for Kigezi, not endless political dramatics,” an insider from Kitanga parish revealed.
Nrm Celebrates A Historic Catch
In NRM circles, the mood is euphoric.
To them, this endorsement is not just a blessing — it’s a psychological victory over the opposition strongholds in Kigezi.
“With Gaetano on Museveni’s side, Kigezi is sealed,” a senior NRM figure boasted.
What Next? The 2026 Aftershocks
Father Gaetano’s dramatic U-turn has already:
- Confused opposition supporters
- Reenergized NRM mobilisers
- Rewritten the political map of Kigezi
But the biggest question lingers:
Is Gaetano’s Move A One-Man Shift… Or The Beginning Of A Mass Opposition Exodus In Kigezi?
For now, one thing is clear: Museveni Walked Into Rukiga For Votes — And Walked Out With A Miracle.
