Rwenzururu king Mumbere returns after treatment in Türkiye

Clad in a black-leather jacket that evidently warmed him against the Monday morning dew, Rwenzururu cultural leader, Omusinga (king) Charles Wesley Mumbere looked healthier and jovial upon landing at Entebbe airport this December 22, 2025, morning. 

Flanked by wife Nyabaghole Agnes Ithungu Asimwa, the king returned aboard Turkish Airlines TK 569 flight from Türkiye where he had travelled to seek medical attention on October 13.

Upon landing at Entebbe, Omusinga was welcomed by kingdom premier Benson Kule Baritazale together with other kingdom ministers, before holding a media briefing at the airport's VIP lounge. Whereas he remained reserved on the specifics of his illness, the King intimated that the health condition was related to his eyesight. 

"I was almost going blind by the time I went there, but the doctors in Türkiye managed to handle the problem, and I am now feeling way better. However, I have been given between six and eight months within which I will have to go back for medical review," Omusinga said.

He thanked President Yoweri Museveni, whom he termed as 'uncle', for "the parental heart he showed by sending us abroad for medical attention plus all the facilitation provided by the State House".

Mumbere added, "I also want to thank my cousin Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, who put in much effort to ensure that I received all the required assistance I needed."

Baritazale debriefed Omusinga that a marathon was organised on November 14, to celebrate the King's birthday plus a partial coronation celebration. According to Baritazale, the celebrations also encompassed the launch of the Kingdom's development strategic plan.

He noted that the birthday run was one of the avenues for fundraising towards the implementation of the strategic plan.

Key to the strategic plan is the establishment of a Kingdom radio station through which the cultural leadership can disseminate information to the subjects. 

"The plan also aims at promoting cultural tourism within the Rwenzori region by establishing a cultural village within Kasese town. These are the key pillars enshrined in the strategic plan," Geofrey Kanyonyi, the kingdom's cultural minister of information and mobilisation, said.

Not mine alone

To this, Mumbere lauded the premier and his cabinet for steering the affairs of the cultural institution during the king's absence for medical vacation. 

Charles Wesley Mumbere (centre), the king of the Rwenzururu kingdom, with his officials, family, and subjects before leaving for Türkiye on October 13. (Credit: Julius Luwemba)

"This reaffirms that the kingdom does not belong to me alone, but all the Banyarwenzururu and Banyarwenzururu-Kali," the King expressed.

Reconciliation journey

Mumbere, together with his former prime minister and the royal guards, were arrested in 2016 on a series of charges. However, after negotiations with the Government, the cultural leader was granted bail and allowed back into his kingdom in October 2023. 

While seeing off the king for medical attention on October 13, the premier revealed that there have been several attempts to reconcile for a peaceful existence within and around the Kingdom in the Rwenzori region.

"The kingdom of Rwenzururu is very determined with the pillars of reconciliation that we have put in place. Among such pillars is the sensitisation of our people on the importance of reconciliation, peace and unity. In such a case, we have made strides in a direction which some of our people are not willing to take, but we shall continue appealing to our neighbours and all the people, to come to the drawing board and continue forging a harmonious coexistence themed on unity in diversity," Kule said.

Entourage

Apart from his wife, the Rwenzururu king was accompanied to and from Türkiye by his aides, David Nguru and Rabson Mbusa Bughura. Present to welcome him were royal officials, including Juliet Bakoko, the second deputy prime minister who also doubles as the minister of gender and disability affairs. Others were Yona Tumusime, the royal minister of protocol and palace affairs; Yowasi Mugamba, the minister of royal protection and transport; Dr  John Baluku, the royal minister without Portfolio, among other members of the royal family.