King Mumbere rejects Bundibugyo breakaway
King Charles Wesley Mumbere (R) exchanges words with assistant IGP Grace Turyagumanawe outside the palace after he was stopped from visiting his subjects recently. Photo by Enid Ninsiima
What you need to know:
The ceremony is held every June 30 to remember the Rwenzururu movement led by his late father Isaya Mukirania who hoisted a flag to announce independence of the Bakonzo and Bamba from Tooro Kingdom.
Kasese- The King of Rwenzururu Kingdom Charles Wesley Mumbere Iremangoma, has rejected calls for Bundibugyo District to break away from the kingdom.
There have been several protests from minority ethnic communities in Bundibugyo seeking to break away from the kingdom.
“We are tired of wrong elements who have continued to deceive government that Rwenzururu Kingdom has fueled tribal conflicts in the region. The president is annoyed with us due to selfish leaders in the district. We shall continue our struggle until government appreciates our cause,” Omusinga Mumbere charged.
The cultural leader told his subjects and functionaries who had gathered at Rwenzori Square in Kasese Town to welcome him from Germany, that Bundibugyo cannot break away because there are many of his subjects in the district.
The government blocked the Rwenzururu king from visiting Bundibugyo to celebrate the kingdom’s peace day.
The ceremony is held every June 30 to remember the Rwenzururu movement led by his late father Isaya Mukirania who hoisted a flag to announce independence of the Bakonzo and Bamba from Tooro Kingdom.
Mumbere’s visit to the area was contested by the ethnic Bamba in May on account that he should wait until they installed their own cultural leader (Omudingiya) who would welcome him to their territory.
Mumbere blocked
On his return from Germany, King Mumbere, who was barred by police from making a stopover at Kikorongo and Muhokya trading centres where he was expected to address his subjects.
The police had accompanied him from Kampala to the district.
“We shall not sit back and watch our kingdom go into the hands of wolves who want to snatch it from us. We must guard it jealously from wrong elements,” Mumbere said.
The king, however, did not name some of the district leaders he claims are frustrating his kingdom.
The Busongora Heritage Kingdom King, Rwigi Ivan Bwebale Rutakirwa IV, had earlier criticised Mumbere’s stopover in his territory in Muhokya trading centre, saying it was an insult.
“If Mumbere is the true king, he must respect me too because we are the same. He has been the Bakonzo king for 50 years but was only recognised by government four years back,” King Rutakirwa said.
