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Mumbere said the region has made fast recovery progress since the 2016 attack on his palace
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The Rwenzururu king, Charles Wesley Mumbere, has commended President Yoweri Museveni for fostering development in the Rwenzori region. The development, he says, has been realized over the years through government programs such as the Parish Development Model (PDM), Emyooga, and infrastructural development in the region.
According to Mumbere, the region has made fast recovery progress since the 2016 attack on the Omusinga’s palace, which saw people lose lives and property destroyed. He noted that the region has started yielding the fruits of the government’s programs. “As a kingdom, we are making good progress in rebuilding, and with the government’s wealth creation programs, we shall eradicate poverty from the region,” Mumbere said.
The Omusinga’s message was contained in a speech presented on his behalf by the Rwenzururu Kingdom’s queen, Agnes Ithungu Asimawe, at the Office of the President where they met with Milly Babalanda, the Minister for the Presidency, in Kampala on Today. The Queen was accompanied by Enid Kabugho, the Deputy Minister for Tourism in Rwenzururu Kingdom; Siira Baluku, the Chairperson of Nyabaghole Foundation; and Tien Tsongo, the Assistant Resident District Commissioner (ARDC) for Kasese district.
During the meeting, Babalanda pointed out that the Government has put in place several programs which the Kingdom should look out for to support its development. She urged the Rwenzururu kingdom to work with the government, arguing that efforts are channeled towards ensuring development in the area. She noted that the Government would ensure the kingdom’s development efforts are supported and prioritized.
President Museveni
THE 2016 CLASH
Following the clash between security and locals in Rwenzururu kingdom in 2016, there was tension between the government and the kingdom, the home of the ethnic Bakonzo community. According to a report released by Human Rights Watch in 2017, at least 153 people died during the incident. Security was said to have recovered 16 petrol bombs, 47 pangas, 42 knives, three metal detectors, four radio calls, one SMG rifle, and one pistol with two magazines from the Rwenzururu loyalists in the palace. In the aftermath, the Rwenzururu king and more than 150 of his Royal Guards were arraigned before a court in Jinja district and charged with treason, terrorism, and murder, among other crimes. Many spent more than four years in detention until recently when they were all granted bail. In June last year, the Director of Public Prosecutions, Jane Frances Abodo, withdrew all charges against Mumbere and his subjects. The charges that were withdrawn before the International Crimes Division (ICD) Court presided over by Lady Justice Alice Komuhangi Khaukha included murder, terrorism, treason, malicious damage to property, attempted murder, and aggravated robbery.
Speaking to his subjects after his return last year in Kasese Municipality, Mumbere blamed the incidents on wrong elements who created baseless stories against him, sparking a conflict with the government.
