Rwenzururu mourns first prime minister
The Rwenzururu king, Charles Wesley Mumbere, has announced a week of mourning for the late kingdom’s first prime minister, Samuel Mukirane. The information minister, Patrick Nyamunungu, during the week which started on Monday, the kingdom’s flag will fly at half-mast and some offices will be c
By Michael Karugaba
and John Thawite
The Rwenzururu king, Charles Wesley Mumbere, has announced a week of mourning for the late kingdom’s first prime minister, Samuel Mukirane. The information minister, Patrick Nyamunungu, during the week which started on Monday, the kingdom’s flag will fly at half-mast and some offices will be closed.
Mukirane, who died of cancer in Kagando Hospital on Good Friday aged 89 years, was named prime minister by Mumbere’s father Isaya Mukirane Kibanzanga in 1964, the post he held up to 1971.
Mukirane is also the first Mukonzo to be given the title ‘Sir’ by Mumbere in recognition of his role in the liberation struggle of the Bakonzo/Bamba from the Toro kingdom administration.
The kingdom’s parliament, led by the deputy speaker, Kule Walyuba, held a special session for Mukirane at his home in Mukunyu sub-county Kasese district during his burial on Easter Monday.
In a message read by Busongora South MP Christopher Kibanzanga, Mumbere said Mukirane brought him up after the death of his father in 1966.
The kingdom prime minister, Constantine Bwambale, described Mukirane as a warrior who fought the Toro kingdom and the Central Government.
The parliament recommended that Mukirane be recognised as a hero. The Busongora North MP, Elijah Kyetunda, urged the people of Kasese to vote for the Movement in the 2011 general elections since it had recognised their kingdom.
and John Thawite
The Rwenzururu king, Charles Wesley Mumbere, has announced a week of mourning for the late kingdom’s first prime minister, Samuel Mukirane. The information minister, Patrick Nyamunungu, during the week which started on Monday, the kingdom’s flag will fly at half-mast and some offices will be closed.
Mukirane, who died of cancer in Kagando Hospital on Good Friday aged 89 years, was named prime minister by Mumbere’s father Isaya Mukirane Kibanzanga in 1964, the post he held up to 1971.
Mukirane is also the first Mukonzo to be given the title ‘Sir’ by Mumbere in recognition of his role in the liberation struggle of the Bakonzo/Bamba from the Toro kingdom administration.
The kingdom’s parliament, led by the deputy speaker, Kule Walyuba, held a special session for Mukirane at his home in Mukunyu sub-county Kasese district during his burial on Easter Monday.
In a message read by Busongora South MP Christopher Kibanzanga, Mumbere said Mukirane brought him up after the death of his father in 1966.
The kingdom prime minister, Constantine Bwambale, described Mukirane as a warrior who fought the Toro kingdom and the Central Government.
The parliament recommended that Mukirane be recognised as a hero. The Busongora North MP, Elijah Kyetunda, urged the people of Kasese to vote for the Movement in the 2011 general elections since it had recognised their kingdom.