Bunyoro king shifts from Hoima
The Omukama of Bunyoro Kingdom, Solomon Iguru, has shifted from his main Karuzika (palace) in Hoima town to an unknown place, citing fear for his life.
By Pascal Kwesiga
The Omukama of Bunyoro Kingdom, Solomon Iguru, has shifted from his main Karuzika (palace) in Hoima town to an unknown place, citing fear for his life.
Iguru and his wife, Margaret Karunga, left on Monday after Police officers were deployed at his palace.
The Police were looking for three royal guards who were accused of robbery, assault and effecting illegal evictions.
“I have decided to vacate my palace because my life is becoming increasingly insecure there,†Iguru said.
Iguru said two of his royal guards were arrested last week and the few who remained could not guarantee his security.
“My life is not secure because they are pursuing and disarming my guards,†he added.
The Hoima district Police commander, Julius Owino, said: “We are hunting for the guards who were accused of committing crimes. We are not looking for any other person apart from those people.â€
He said John Barongo and Deo Byaruhanga were arrested after evicting Shaban Bitarabeho without a court order.
Owino added that the guards were accused of stealing over sh3m and injuring two tenants during the eviction.
It is said the building from which the tenants were evicted was on the king’s land.
The kingdom’s prime minister, Yabezi Kiiza, dismissed allegations that the guards were involved in illegal evictions and robbery.
He said they were sent to Bitarabeho’s home to verify reports that he had illegally acquired land that belonged to the king.
The head of the royal guards, Moses Kasangaki, who was briefed by the King before he left the palace, said: “Our king might be out of the country now.â€
Kasangaki added that the king suspected the Police to be after him, adding that when he left they also left.
Some kingdom officials accused Hoima district chairman George Bagonza and resident district commissioner Martha Asiimwe of masterminding the arrest of the royal guards.
Asiimwe denied the allegations, while Bagonza said he would continue fighting illegal evictions.
The Omukama of Bunyoro Kingdom, Solomon Iguru, has shifted from his main Karuzika (palace) in Hoima town to an unknown place, citing fear for his life.
Iguru and his wife, Margaret Karunga, left on Monday after Police officers were deployed at his palace.
The Police were looking for three royal guards who were accused of robbery, assault and effecting illegal evictions.
“I have decided to vacate my palace because my life is becoming increasingly insecure there,†Iguru said.
Iguru said two of his royal guards were arrested last week and the few who remained could not guarantee his security.
“My life is not secure because they are pursuing and disarming my guards,†he added.
The Hoima district Police commander, Julius Owino, said: “We are hunting for the guards who were accused of committing crimes. We are not looking for any other person apart from those people.â€
He said John Barongo and Deo Byaruhanga were arrested after evicting Shaban Bitarabeho without a court order.
Owino added that the guards were accused of stealing over sh3m and injuring two tenants during the eviction.
It is said the building from which the tenants were evicted was on the king’s land.
The kingdom’s prime minister, Yabezi Kiiza, dismissed allegations that the guards were involved in illegal evictions and robbery.
He said they were sent to Bitarabeho’s home to verify reports that he had illegally acquired land that belonged to the king.
The head of the royal guards, Moses Kasangaki, who was briefed by the King before he left the palace, said: “Our king might be out of the country now.â€
Kasangaki added that the king suspected the Police to be after him, adding that when he left they also left.
Some kingdom officials accused Hoima district chairman George Bagonza and resident district commissioner Martha Asiimwe of masterminding the arrest of the royal guards.
Asiimwe denied the allegations, while Bagonza said he would continue fighting illegal evictions.