Self-styled Ankole king charged, remanded

Ankole self -styled king Umar Asiimwe (in kanzu) and his agents arrive at Mbarara court amidst tight security. PHOTO BY RAJAB MUKOMBOZI

What you need to know:

  • Asiimwe was on October 29, 2016 unlawfully consecrated as the king (Omugabe) of Ankole Kingdom.
  • He established a palace at Itaaba Kyabanyoro, Rwampara County in Mbarara where he has been conducting activities relating to kingship.

The self-styled Ankole King, Mr Umar Asiimwe, has been charged with various offences and sent to Mbarara Central Prison on remand.

The Mbarara Chief Magistrate’s Court presided over by Ms Sanyu Mukasa on Tuesday charged Mr Asiimwe together Max Muhumuza, Joseph Kankiriho, Brenda Katushemereirwe and Wycliffe Amanya with unlawful assembly, forming and being members of unlawful society, promoting sectarianism, inciting violence and disobeying lawful orders.

Prosecution led by Ms Caroline Keshubi told court that the accused committed the offences between October 2017 and February 2018.

They however denied the charges and were remanded up to February 27 when their bail application will be heard.

Asiimwe and the co accused were arrested last Thursday (February 15) and have since been in police custody.

On February 8, Mr Asiimwe and his mobilizers had a meeting with minister of Gender Labour and Social Development, Ms Janat Mukwaya, at Lake View Resort Hotel in Mbarara who ordered them to “stop forthwith all activities on matters related to the creation of a cultural institution in Ankole.”

Asiimwe, on October 29, 2016 unlawfully consecrated himself the king (Omugabe) of Ankole Kingdom.

He established a palace at Itaaba Kyabanyoro, Rwampara County in Mbarara where he has been conducting activities relating to kingship.

He appointed 20 ministers and 17 county chiefs to help him in his work.