Councillors criticised over debating Ankole kingdom
Dec 29, 2009
The former deputy speaker of Ankole kingdom, Edward Rurangaranga, has criticised district councillors in Ankole for debating the restoration of the kingdom.
By Chris Ahimbisibwe
The former deputy speaker of Ankole kingdom, Edward Rurangaranga, has criticised district councillors in Ankole for debating the restoration of the kingdom.
He said restoring Ankole kingdom would be reinstating an instrument of dividing and enslaving the people.
Rurangaranga, also a former minister in the Obote II government, described as ‘unfortunate’ the councillors discussion, which he said does not benefit the people.
He advised the councillors to concentrate on lobbying the Government to improve education, health and infrastructure development in the region.
Addressing journalists at his home in Kitagata sub-county, Bushenyi district on Sunday, Rurangaranga said what the people needed was development but not promotion of one individual or a few families.
He argued that unlike other kingdoms like Buganda and Toro, the Ankole kingdom was different because it benefited a small class of people based on ethnicity.
“The Omugabe (king of Ankole) has never been a unifying factor. It would be okay if the Omugabe crosses from his tribe and marries from another tribe. How do you impose him on the entire region?†Rurangaranga wondered.
He noted that after the abolition of kingdoms, most Banyankole were relieved, adding that was the reason Ankole has had peace and development for the last 40 years.
“There is no ruled and ruling class. It will be wrong for the councils to accept the enslavement of people for the second time, yet they were liberated,†Rurangaranga said.
Recently, the councils in Bushenyi, Mbarara, Ntungamo, Ibanda and Isingiro districts discussed reinstating the Ankole kingdom. Most councillors rejected the idea but no conclusion was reached on the matter.
The Omukama (king) of Bunyoro, Solomon Iguru, the chairman of the cultural forum, had earlier written to the district speakers requesting them to table the issue of the restoration of the Ankole kingdom.
Quoting the cultural conference that took place in Masindi last month, Iguru said it was recommended that Prince John Barigye be restored and recognised as the king of Ankole.
The former deputy speaker of Ankole kingdom, Edward Rurangaranga, has criticised district councillors in Ankole for debating the restoration of the kingdom.
He said restoring Ankole kingdom would be reinstating an instrument of dividing and enslaving the people.
Rurangaranga, also a former minister in the Obote II government, described as ‘unfortunate’ the councillors discussion, which he said does not benefit the people.
He advised the councillors to concentrate on lobbying the Government to improve education, health and infrastructure development in the region.
Addressing journalists at his home in Kitagata sub-county, Bushenyi district on Sunday, Rurangaranga said what the people needed was development but not promotion of one individual or a few families.
He argued that unlike other kingdoms like Buganda and Toro, the Ankole kingdom was different because it benefited a small class of people based on ethnicity.
“The Omugabe (king of Ankole) has never been a unifying factor. It would be okay if the Omugabe crosses from his tribe and marries from another tribe. How do you impose him on the entire region?†Rurangaranga wondered.
He noted that after the abolition of kingdoms, most Banyankole were relieved, adding that was the reason Ankole has had peace and development for the last 40 years.
“There is no ruled and ruling class. It will be wrong for the councils to accept the enslavement of people for the second time, yet they were liberated,†Rurangaranga said.
Recently, the councils in Bushenyi, Mbarara, Ntungamo, Ibanda and Isingiro districts discussed reinstating the Ankole kingdom. Most councillors rejected the idea but no conclusion was reached on the matter.
The Omukama (king) of Bunyoro, Solomon Iguru, the chairman of the cultural forum, had earlier written to the district speakers requesting them to table the issue of the restoration of the Ankole kingdom.
Quoting the cultural conference that took place in Masindi last month, Iguru said it was recommended that Prince John Barigye be restored and recognised as the king of Ankole.