Rwenzururu veterans petition over new districts
May 25, 2009
VETERANS of the Rwenzururu Freedom Movement have petitioned President Yoweri Museveni over the creation of new districts in the Rwenzori region. The veterans described the new districts as tribal.
By John Nzinjah
VETERANS of the Rwenzururu Freedom Movement have petitioned President Yoweri Museveni over the creation of new districts in the Rwenzori region. The veterans described the new districts as tribal.
“We are suspicious. Any clandestine move intended to deny the Bakonzo and Bamba the resource allocation under the pretext of creating new districts within the region, shall not succeed,†the group said.
“The proposed districts have a lot of mineral wealth like petroleum, as well as lakes, Queen Elizabeth and Semiliki national parks.â€
The letter, endorsed by 65 veterans from the districts of Bundibugyo, Kasese and Kabarole, is copied to Omusinga Charles Wesley Mumbere, the cultural leader of the Bamba and the Bakonzo.
The letter is also copied to the ministers of internal affairs and defence, MPs, LC5 chairpersons and resident district commissioners of Bundibugyo and Kasese districts.
The local government recently announced plans to curve out Ntoroko district from Bundibugyo.
A Kasese-based FM station, Grace Radio, recently reported plans to split Kasese district in two as allegedly requested by the pastoralists.
The veterans, however, thanked the Government for adopting peaceful means to resolve conflicts in the region, saying the present districts of Kasese and Bundibugyo were formed after bloodshed.
They also called for the equal treatment of communities in the Rwenzori region.
Addressing a congregation at Uganda Martyrs Church Nyakasanga in Kasese town, recently, Mumbere called for unity among all tribes in his kingdom and condemned violence.
VETERANS of the Rwenzururu Freedom Movement have petitioned President Yoweri Museveni over the creation of new districts in the Rwenzori region. The veterans described the new districts as tribal.
“We are suspicious. Any clandestine move intended to deny the Bakonzo and Bamba the resource allocation under the pretext of creating new districts within the region, shall not succeed,†the group said.
“The proposed districts have a lot of mineral wealth like petroleum, as well as lakes, Queen Elizabeth and Semiliki national parks.â€
The letter, endorsed by 65 veterans from the districts of Bundibugyo, Kasese and Kabarole, is copied to Omusinga Charles Wesley Mumbere, the cultural leader of the Bamba and the Bakonzo.
The letter is also copied to the ministers of internal affairs and defence, MPs, LC5 chairpersons and resident district commissioners of Bundibugyo and Kasese districts.
The local government recently announced plans to curve out Ntoroko district from Bundibugyo.
A Kasese-based FM station, Grace Radio, recently reported plans to split Kasese district in two as allegedly requested by the pastoralists.
The veterans, however, thanked the Government for adopting peaceful means to resolve conflicts in the region, saying the present districts of Kasese and Bundibugyo were formed after bloodshed.
They also called for the equal treatment of communities in the Rwenzori region.
Addressing a congregation at Uganda Martyrs Church Nyakasanga in Kasese town, recently, Mumbere called for unity among all tribes in his kingdom and condemned violence.