Govt approves Rwenzururu kingdom
THE Cabinet has recognised the Rwenzururu kingdom headed by Charles Wesley Mumbere as a cultural institution. The kingdom mainly comprises the Bakonzo in Kasese and the Bamba in Bundibugyo district.
By Aidah Nanyonjo
THE Cabinet has recognised the Rwenzururu kingdom headed by Charles Wesley Mumbere as a cultural institution.
The kingdom mainly comprises the Bakonzo in Kasese and the Bamba in Bundibugyo district.
The Prime Minister, Apolo Nsibambi, said the Cabinet agreed to recognise Obusinga Bwa Rwenzururu after studying a report from a ministerial committee.
In a letter, Nsibambi directed the minister of Social Development, Syda Bbumba, to resolve various matters concerning the kingdom. The issues were raised by Constantine Bwambale, the chairman of the kingdom steering committee, and Joseph Kule Muranga, a former area MP.
The issues included settling Mumbere’s education bills and allowing him to access the sh5m given to cultural leaders per month.
Another issue was to prepare the handover of four houses on plot 36, Kyebambe Road and plots 31, 32/4 in Kasese town, which were given to the Rwenzururu king by former president Milton Obote.
The houses belonged to the Departed Asians Custodian Board.
Nsibambi directed the minister of lands, housing and urban development to resolve the issue.
During a press conference on Saturday, the 52-year-old king appealed to Bbumba to speed up the recognition of his kingdom.
“Since the cabinet has cleared everything, it is the ministry of Social Development to implement the recognition,†Mumbere said at Wonderland Hotel in Kyaliwajjala, Wakiso district.
He called on all people who were opposed to the kingdom to join him to develop the area. “Unlike other kingdoms, ours is lagging behind in terms of infrastructure like health facilities, schools and roads.â€
The spokesperson for the Obusinga (kingdom), Godfrey Kabyanga, said they would begin by revamping their culture and languages that had been marginalised.
“All the structures shall be put in place to promote the cultural identity of the Banyarwenzururu (subjects).â€
A Rukonzo dictionary is also being written, he announced.
“Our languages are diluted. They are mixed with French, Luganda and Rutooro. But we have our own language as Banyarwenzururu, which we want to use,†Kabyanga said.
In 1963, the Rwenzururu kingdom declared independence from Toro kingdom and launched an armed struggle under the Rwenzururu Freedom Movement led by Mukirania Kibanzanga.
Upon the death of Mukirania in 1966, his eldest son Mumbere assumed leadership of the movement and continued fighting the Obote and Amin regimes in the Rwenzori Mountains.
In August 1982, Mumbere denounced the 20-year struggle and was installed chief elder of the Rwenzururu.
Soon after, he went to the USA to study on a Government scholarship until he returned in September 2007.
THE Cabinet has recognised the Rwenzururu kingdom headed by Charles Wesley Mumbere as a cultural institution.
The kingdom mainly comprises the Bakonzo in Kasese and the Bamba in Bundibugyo district.
The Prime Minister, Apolo Nsibambi, said the Cabinet agreed to recognise Obusinga Bwa Rwenzururu after studying a report from a ministerial committee.
In a letter, Nsibambi directed the minister of Social Development, Syda Bbumba, to resolve various matters concerning the kingdom. The issues were raised by Constantine Bwambale, the chairman of the kingdom steering committee, and Joseph Kule Muranga, a former area MP.
The issues included settling Mumbere’s education bills and allowing him to access the sh5m given to cultural leaders per month.
Another issue was to prepare the handover of four houses on plot 36, Kyebambe Road and plots 31, 32/4 in Kasese town, which were given to the Rwenzururu king by former president Milton Obote.
The houses belonged to the Departed Asians Custodian Board.
Nsibambi directed the minister of lands, housing and urban development to resolve the issue.
During a press conference on Saturday, the 52-year-old king appealed to Bbumba to speed up the recognition of his kingdom.
“Since the cabinet has cleared everything, it is the ministry of Social Development to implement the recognition,†Mumbere said at Wonderland Hotel in Kyaliwajjala, Wakiso district.
He called on all people who were opposed to the kingdom to join him to develop the area. “Unlike other kingdoms, ours is lagging behind in terms of infrastructure like health facilities, schools and roads.â€
The spokesperson for the Obusinga (kingdom), Godfrey Kabyanga, said they would begin by revamping their culture and languages that had been marginalised.
“All the structures shall be put in place to promote the cultural identity of the Banyarwenzururu (subjects).â€
A Rukonzo dictionary is also being written, he announced.
“Our languages are diluted. They are mixed with French, Luganda and Rutooro. But we have our own language as Banyarwenzururu, which we want to use,†Kabyanga said.
In 1963, the Rwenzururu kingdom declared independence from Toro kingdom and launched an armed struggle under the Rwenzururu Freedom Movement led by Mukirania Kibanzanga.
Upon the death of Mukirania in 1966, his eldest son Mumbere assumed leadership of the movement and continued fighting the Obote and Amin regimes in the Rwenzori Mountains.
In August 1982, Mumbere denounced the 20-year struggle and was installed chief elder of the Rwenzururu.
Soon after, he went to the USA to study on a Government scholarship until he returned in September 2007.