More opposition to Rwenzori kingdom
Oct 09, 2007
THE Banyabindi, a minority ethnic group in Kasese district, have threatened to sue the Government if it endorses the Bakonzo and Bamba cultural institution (Obusinga bwa Rwenzururu) before compensating them.
By John Nzinjah
THE Banyabindi, a minority ethnic group in Kasese district, have threatened to sue the Government if it endorses the Bakonzo and Bamba cultural institution (Obusinga bwa Rwenzururu) before compensating them.
“We were persecuted during the Rwenzururu rebellion and we lost lives and property.
“If the Obusinga is to be recognised, either the Government or the Obusinga itself, must compensate us for the atrocities committed against us,†the leader of the Banyabindi, Bart Kitakakire, said recently.
In an interview with the New Vision in Kasese, Kitakakire also disassociated himself and the Banyabindi community from Dr. Crispus Kiyonga’s recent declaration that he had relinquished leadership of those who had been opposed to the official establishment of the Obusinga.
“The Banyabindi don’t belong to Kiyonga’s school of thought and so, his declaration does not concern us at all,†said Kitakakire, whose father was killed during the Rwenzururu rebellion.
Kiyonga, the defence minister and Bukonzo West MP, recently told a rally Kuruhe High School in Kasese district, that he would support the Obusinga bwa Rwenzururu.
Previously a staunch opponent to the recognition of the kingdom, Kiyonga said his turn-around was based on the quest for stability, peace, reconciliation and unity among the people of the Rwenzori region.
Kitakakire, a retired senior civil servant and a political scientist, proposed that a reconciliatory meeting be held before the Government recognises the Obusinga bwa Rwenzururu.
“We cannot live under the hegemony of a person who persecuted us and committed all sorts of atrocities against us,†Kitakakire vowed, but hastened to add: “We can, however, reconcile and forgive although we cannot forget.â€
Reacting to Kitakakire’s threat, Godfrey Kabyanga, the spokesman of the Obusinga bwa Rwenzururu said: “Who is to compensate who?†Even the non-Banyabindi including the Bakonzo and Bamba themselves lost lives and property during the rebellion.â€
According to Kabyanga, the Banyabindi should have included their demand for compensation in their report to the Cabinet Commission, which was led by Rt. Hon. Henry Kajura. “Let him take the matter to the Government,†Kabyanga advised.
Efforts to get the Government recognise the Obusinga are underway.
Their leader, Charles Wesley Mumbere, recently returned from the US ahead of plans to kick-start the kingdom. He is also salted to marry an 18-year-old bride soon.
THE Banyabindi, a minority ethnic group in Kasese district, have threatened to sue the Government if it endorses the Bakonzo and Bamba cultural institution (Obusinga bwa Rwenzururu) before compensating them.
“We were persecuted during the Rwenzururu rebellion and we lost lives and property.
“If the Obusinga is to be recognised, either the Government or the Obusinga itself, must compensate us for the atrocities committed against us,†the leader of the Banyabindi, Bart Kitakakire, said recently.
In an interview with the New Vision in Kasese, Kitakakire also disassociated himself and the Banyabindi community from Dr. Crispus Kiyonga’s recent declaration that he had relinquished leadership of those who had been opposed to the official establishment of the Obusinga.
“The Banyabindi don’t belong to Kiyonga’s school of thought and so, his declaration does not concern us at all,†said Kitakakire, whose father was killed during the Rwenzururu rebellion.
Kiyonga, the defence minister and Bukonzo West MP, recently told a rally Kuruhe High School in Kasese district, that he would support the Obusinga bwa Rwenzururu.
Previously a staunch opponent to the recognition of the kingdom, Kiyonga said his turn-around was based on the quest for stability, peace, reconciliation and unity among the people of the Rwenzori region.
Kitakakire, a retired senior civil servant and a political scientist, proposed that a reconciliatory meeting be held before the Government recognises the Obusinga bwa Rwenzururu.
“We cannot live under the hegemony of a person who persecuted us and committed all sorts of atrocities against us,†Kitakakire vowed, but hastened to add: “We can, however, reconcile and forgive although we cannot forget.â€
Reacting to Kitakakire’s threat, Godfrey Kabyanga, the spokesman of the Obusinga bwa Rwenzururu said: “Who is to compensate who?†Even the non-Banyabindi including the Bakonzo and Bamba themselves lost lives and property during the rebellion.â€
According to Kabyanga, the Banyabindi should have included their demand for compensation in their report to the Cabinet Commission, which was led by Rt. Hon. Henry Kajura. “Let him take the matter to the Government,†Kabyanga advised.
Efforts to get the Government recognise the Obusinga are underway.
Their leader, Charles Wesley Mumbere, recently returned from the US ahead of plans to kick-start the kingdom. He is also salted to marry an 18-year-old bride soon.