You are an impostor – father tells Ankole self-styled king

The father of Ankole self-styled king Mr Umar Asiimwe has said that his son is an impostor working towards self-aggrandizement.

Mr Idris Kaweesa Igumira Kitobobo, on Sunday during a press briefing at Itaaba, Kabanyoro in Rwampara, Mbarara District where Mr Asiimwe had established a palace, accused his son of doing contrary of what he had assigned him to do and instead breeding conflicts between Ankole people and government.

Mr Igumira, who said Mr Asiimwe is the third born of his 13 children, noted that the latter claims of kingship against his advice and instructions has continued to divide the people of Ankole further and soaring relationship with government especially security agencies.
“I had assigned my son (Umar) to mobilise and lead sensitisation towards restoration of Ankole Kingdom as a prince but not a king. But when he reached here he established himself as a king and started performing cultural functions and rituals as a king,” said Mr Igumira.

The father who has been staying in Kasese said he has since the beginning of this year taken over the palace at Itaaba and chased away Mr Asiimwe and his group.
“This land was bought by the family from natives who had occupied it after our ancestors left, we chose to buy it back and I am the lead signatory so Mr Umar is no longer wanted here. I am going to manage this palace because what he has been doing is an abomination,” he said.

However this has not come an easy as a tense fight between the father, son and their supporters on the eve of the New Year left both Asiimwe and Igumira severely injured.

Mr Igumira was left with a broken arm and bruised eye and Mr Asiimwe is also treating at Mayanja Memorial hospital in Mbarara Town.

When contacted, Mr Asiimwe said his father is only being selfish with the achievements he had made towards Ankole kingdom restoration hitting at survival and economic gains being those pushing to fight him.
“It’s all about wanting to undermine what I had achieved towards kingdom restoration and they believe I have gained a lot economically and that why he and group want me out but it will not be possible, am already established,” he said.

Mr Asiimwe has been claiming was crowned the King (Omugabe) of Ankole on October 29, 2016 at the Kingdom palace located in Itaaba Kyabanyoro, Rwampara County in Mbarara District.

He went on to appoint 20 ministers and 17 county chiefs to help him carry out activities of the kingdom and has since been conducting meetings with his ministers and chiefs at the palace.