18th Aug,2025
By Anakereti Kiiza
The Rukungiri RDC, Bron Kikanshemeza, has challenged the people of Rukungiri to shun politics of identity if they are to support the development of the district.
He made the remarks over the weekend while addressing Seventh-day Adventist believers who thronged Rukungiri Main Stadium for the silver jubilee celebrations and album launch of the Rukungiri Adventist Victory Evangelist Team Association (RAVETA).
Bron said that development in Uganda is being hampered by politics of identity, where most Ugandans choose leaders based on religion, tribe, and other divisive factors.
He urged believers to distance themselves from individuals who promote politics of identity, saying such people hinder development.
According to Fred Muhumuza, the Public Relations Officer of Raveta Uganda, the association started as a small group known as the Victory Choir in 1995 under the then Rukungiri SDA Church evangelist, Kakuuru Bernard Bampata. It later grew, and in 2000 its name was changed from Victory Choir to Rukungiri Adventist Victory Evangelistic Team (RAVETA).
He explained that RAVETA was established to carry out charitable works, support evangelism campaigns, establish new Seventh-day Adventist churches, and promote education and health, among others.
Fred revealed that RAVETA has pioneered the establishment of many churches including Nyamiya, Kirama, Karangaro, Kakirago, Buyanja, Nyabugando, Nyabushenyi, and Marumba SDA churches in Rukungiri.
Other churches include Ijumo, Nyabubare, Kizinda, and Kajani in Ishaka; Bitereko in Mitooma District; Nyamirama in Kanungu District; Kaharo in Kabale; Kakoba in Mbarara; and Kabuyanda in Isingiro.
He added that RAVETA has supported over 50 young Ugandans to access formal education, while others have been equipped with survival skills.
In 2022, the association organized health camps in Nyabushenyi and Karangaro, where more than 4,000 people received free health services.
However, Fred noted that RAVETA faces challenges such as the high cost of producing audio recordings, shooting, and editing videos. He said they are planning to establish their own studio to cut production costs, a project estimated at 45 million shillings.
During his sermon, Edward Muwanga, the Bishop of the South Western Uganda Field, emphasized the importance of singing as a way of communicating with God.
He urged congregants to prioritize singing for God instead of resorting to secular music, which he warned could mislead them and prevent them from accessing the Kingdom of God.
