Rwenzururu king arrested over fresh Rwenzori clashes

Omusinga Charles Wesley Mumbere at Kasese Division Police headquarters shortly after his arrest last year in November. File photo

What you need to know:

  • According to police, the attackers -- not all of whom were royal guards -- had guns, spears and improvised explosive devices.

Omusinga wa Rwenzururu Charles Wesley Mumbere has been arrested.
Mr Mumbere is said to have been picked from his Buhikira Royal Palace in Kasese town by Uganda People's Defence Forces (UPDF) in a joint operation with police and airlifted to Kampala on Sunday following fresh clashes that have rocked Rwenzori region.

Inside the Buhikira Royal Palace in Kasese town. PHOTO BY COLLEB MUGUME

His arrest comes just hours after police said at least 55 people have been killed in fierce fighting that erupted in western Uganda between security forces and a separatist militia.
Police spokesman Andrew Felix Kaweesi said 14 police officers and 41 militants had died in the clashes in the town of Kasese on Saturday, when fighters linked to the royal guard of the Rwenzururu kingdom attacked patrolling security forces.

Royal guards deployed at the Buhikira Royal Palace recently to ensure safety of the King. Police on Sunday arrested the king from the palace following the fresh clashes. PHOTO BY COLLEB MUGUME

"Yesterday a joint Uganda police and UPDF (army) operation, patrolling in Kasese town... came under attack by Royal Guards of the kingdom. The attackers threw an improvised grenade which exploded and injured one soldier. Security forces reacted and shot in self-defence, killing four attackers," said Kaweesi.
"That incident set of an explosion in all local sub-counties. Fighting continued from morning to late evening."
Kaweesi said the attackers -- not all of whom were royal guards -- had guns, spears and improvised explosive devices.