Kasese mourns Rwenzururu queen mother

KASESE    RWENZURURU     MUKIRANIA

Upon hearing the news of the death of the Rwenzururu queen mother Biira Christine Mukirania, several residents gathered at her official residence in Kigali cell Nyakabingo parish Kasese town to pay tribute.

Biira died on Tuesday morning at Kilembe Mines Hospital, where she has been battling cancer.

Simon Bikeke, a journalist based in Kasese, who has closely worked with Biira says the Rwenzori region has lost a peace-loving icon.

"I am paying my tribute to the lady who cherished peace and she has been moving up and down reconciling people in several parts of Rwenzururu kingdom," Bikeke said.

Biira is the mother of Omusinga Charles Wesley Mumbere Iremangoma and the state minister for agriculture Christopher Kibanzanga.

Her husband Isaya Mikirania passed away on September 2, 1966.

Every year hundreds of Banyarwenzururu trek to Bulemba, which is located in Rwenzori mountains, to perform rituals and pay tribute to the man who led a rebellion that saw Kasese and Bundibugyo granted autonomy from Toro kingdom.

 Francis Baluku, a resident of Maliba, said the death of Biira is a great loss to the people of the Rwenzori region.

"She liked the development. Whenever she would be invited for any fundraising event or any development activities, she would ensure she attends and gives her support," Baluku said.

"She has been a very committed mother, a role model, a woman of high integrity and a very honest lady," Baluku added.

Florence Mbambu, a resident of Kisanga, said people should emulate Biira and asked Kasese municipal council to name one of the streets in her names, just like they did to her husband Mukirania.

"Biira was driven by internal and everlasting values such as love and care. She has been a trustworthy woman who always stood for the truth and never loved earthly things. When her husband died, she raised all her children as a single mother," Mbambu said. 

On Tuesday, Rwenzururu kingdom officials and subjects were still at Kilembe Hospital mortuary, discussing burial arrangement.

And there was no official programme that has so far been released concerning burial.

Gadi Mbayahe, the chairperson of the Rwenzururu kingdom ministerial commission, which was appointed by Omusinga Charles Mumbere to take charge of the kingdom affairs, said it was unfortunate that the kingdom has lost such a great icon.

Biira died at the age of 85.

Early this year, President Yoweri Museveni visited her at Case Clinic, where she was admitted in intensive care.

She is survived by seven children; three boys and four girls.

The grandson said family and relatives within and around Kampala are gathering at Kibanzanga's home in Kyebando, Kampala, for burial preparations. 

King Mumbere's residence in Muyenga is and it is not clear whether he will be allowed to mourn his mother. Due to strict bail terms, Mumbere is not allowed to visit his Kingdom.