Rwenzori kings sign pact to end fighting in sub-region

Kabarole.

Rwenzururu King Charles Wesley Mumbere and his rival of Obundigya Bwa Bamba, Lt Col Martin Kamya, have signed a pact aimed at returning peace and security in the volatile Rwenzori region.

The cultural leaders signed the Royal Communiqué at Mountains of the Moon Hotel in Fort Portal Town on Thursday in the presence of retired principal judge James Ongola and eastern region NRM vice chairman Capt Mike Mukula.

The two cultural leaders said their agreement is prompted by the violence that has hit Rwenzori sub-region in the recent past and caused instability leading to loss of life and property.

According to the royal communiqué, the two kings agreed to work together towards re-establishing peace, security and stability in the region through promotion of “strategic conflict resolution mechanisms,” including early warning signals to prevent reoccurrence.

“It has consequently been agreed and resolved that a permanent working committee comprising relevant stakeholders from the cultural institutions, government of Uganda and eminent citizens of Uganda, be setup for the purposes of coordinating these efforts,” the communique reads in part.

The kings said a pact begins with calling for cessation of hostilities and holding consultative and coordination meetings of the two cultural institutions for institutional dialogue.

“It has been commonly agreed and resolved that the two principles i.e the Obusinga Bwa Rwenzururu and the Obundigya Bwa Bamba will hold joint mobilisation rallies in their respective territories of jurisdiction with the purposeful message of peace, stability, and harmonious co-existence,” the communique added.
They said government will be represented at the joint mobilisations.

They further agreed to promote the principles of equity, justice, and respect for the rule of law and discourage impunity and such similar acts involving the people and subjects of the respective cultural institution of extra-judicial activities.

“Whenever we think of developing in my district, such instability occurs, which has limited us from developing” Omusinga Mumbere said shortly after signing the agreement.
He asked everyone to support them so that peace and stability can be prevailed.

The Omundigya, Lt Col Kamya, said coming together is the beginning, staying together is progress and remaining together is development.

Justice James Ongola hailed the two kings and described them as one family, which started the struggle in the early 1950s to the 70s with shoulders together, fighting for peace but their minds now seem to have diverted.

Conflict
The recent tribal clashes between the Bamba and Bakonzo in the districts of Kasese and Bundibugyo left more than 45 people killed, scores wounded and 8,000 displaced.

Before the two leaders signed the Royal Communiqué, they were engaged in closed meetings with Capt Mukula and Inter- Religious Council of Uganda delegation headed by Justice James Ogola. President Museveni concluded his security assessment in Rwenzori sub-region, which became instable after the February elections.