Government silence irks Obusinga supporters
Jun 02, 2007
SUPPORTERS of the Obusinga Bwa Rwenzururu are disappointed by the Government’s delay in recognising their monarchy.
By John B.B. Nzinjah
SUPPORTERS of the Obusinga Bwa Rwenzururu are disappointed by the Government’s delay in recognising their monarchy.
The disappointment was expressed last week in a meeting attended by over 300 royals from Bundibugyo and Kasese districts.
“The Government is taking long to make its position clear on the matter but I ask you to remain calm and law abiding. We shall continue using peaceful means until we get what we want,†the queen mother, Christine Mukirania, told the royals at her palace in Kasese.
She said the Bakonzo and the Bamba had expressed support for the kingdom and urged the Government to respect their wishes.
“Very soon, the Omusinga (king) Charles Mumbere is coming to support our struggle,†said the security chief, Thembo Kistumbire.
The Rwenzururu kingdom, a separatist monarchy from Tooro, had its first king, Isaaya Mukirane, crowned in 1953.
He was succeeded by his son, Wesley Mumbere in 1966 but the Government has not yet recognised him.
President Yoweri Museveni last year tasked Movement cadres in the district to find him ways of resolving the Obusinga issue. Consequently, a committee led by the retired bishop of South Rwenzori Diocese, Zebedee Masereka, organised consultative meetings in Kasese and Bundibugyo districts.
They wrote a report and passed it to the President, who is yet to react.
SUPPORTERS of the Obusinga Bwa Rwenzururu are disappointed by the Government’s delay in recognising their monarchy.
The disappointment was expressed last week in a meeting attended by over 300 royals from Bundibugyo and Kasese districts.
“The Government is taking long to make its position clear on the matter but I ask you to remain calm and law abiding. We shall continue using peaceful means until we get what we want,†the queen mother, Christine Mukirania, told the royals at her palace in Kasese.
She said the Bakonzo and the Bamba had expressed support for the kingdom and urged the Government to respect their wishes.
“Very soon, the Omusinga (king) Charles Mumbere is coming to support our struggle,†said the security chief, Thembo Kistumbire.
The Rwenzururu kingdom, a separatist monarchy from Tooro, had its first king, Isaaya Mukirane, crowned in 1953.
He was succeeded by his son, Wesley Mumbere in 1966 but the Government has not yet recognised him.
President Yoweri Museveni last year tasked Movement cadres in the district to find him ways of resolving the Obusinga issue. Consequently, a committee led by the retired bishop of South Rwenzori Diocese, Zebedee Masereka, organised consultative meetings in Kasese and Bundibugyo districts.
They wrote a report and passed it to the President, who is yet to react.