Bakonzo celebrate recognition of Rwenzururu kingdom
Apr 01, 2008
HUNDREDS of the Bakonzo in Kasese thronged the Rwenzururu palace on Monday to congratulate their king, Wesley Charles Mumbere, upon the Government’s recognition of their kingdom.
By Columbus Tusiime
HUNDREDS of the Bakonzo in Kasese thronged the Rwenzururu palace on Monday to congratulate their king, Wesley Charles Mumbere, upon the Government’s recognition of their kingdom.
When the reporter visited the palace on Kyebambe Road in Kasese town council, the Bakonzo elders, dressed in their cultural attire, were dancing and jubilating over the story that was published in The New Vision on Monday.
By 11:00am, vendors in Kasese town had sold out all the copies of The New Vision and had contacted the neighbouring districts of Bushenyi and Kabarole for more papers.
The newspaper reported that the Cabinet had recognised the Rwenzururu kingdom headed by Mumbere as a cultural institution.
The New Vision said the Prime Minister, Apolo Nsibambi, noted that the Cabinet agreed to recognise Obusinga Bwa Rwenzururu after studying a report from a ministerial committee.
But yesterday, Nsibambi clarified that the Cabinet had not yet agreed to recognise the kingdom.
In a letter addressed to the Minister of Gender, Labour and Social Development, Syda Bbumba, Nsibambi said the issue was still before the Cabinet.
In a related development, another claimant to the throne, James Makoma, has threatened to sue the Government if it recognises Mumbere as king.
Addressing journalists in Kasese, Makoma said he had evidence that he is right king.
But Mumbere’s kingdom spokesperson, Godfrey Kabyanga, dismissed Makoma’s comments as baseless.
HUNDREDS of the Bakonzo in Kasese thronged the Rwenzururu palace on Monday to congratulate their king, Wesley Charles Mumbere, upon the Government’s recognition of their kingdom.
When the reporter visited the palace on Kyebambe Road in Kasese town council, the Bakonzo elders, dressed in their cultural attire, were dancing and jubilating over the story that was published in The New Vision on Monday.
By 11:00am, vendors in Kasese town had sold out all the copies of The New Vision and had contacted the neighbouring districts of Bushenyi and Kabarole for more papers.
The newspaper reported that the Cabinet had recognised the Rwenzururu kingdom headed by Mumbere as a cultural institution.
The New Vision said the Prime Minister, Apolo Nsibambi, noted that the Cabinet agreed to recognise Obusinga Bwa Rwenzururu after studying a report from a ministerial committee.
But yesterday, Nsibambi clarified that the Cabinet had not yet agreed to recognise the kingdom.
In a letter addressed to the Minister of Gender, Labour and Social Development, Syda Bbumba, Nsibambi said the issue was still before the Cabinet.
In a related development, another claimant to the throne, James Makoma, has threatened to sue the Government if it recognises Mumbere as king.
Addressing journalists in Kasese, Makoma said he had evidence that he is right king.
But Mumbere’s kingdom spokesperson, Godfrey Kabyanga, dismissed Makoma’s comments as baseless.