Mukula on peace mission in Kasese, Bundibugyo

Captain Mike Mukula, the NRM vice chairperson in charge of Eastern Region, on Saturday flew to the Rwenzori sub-region on a peace and reconciliation mission.

The area has recently been struck by several outbreaks of post-election violence in which 30 people have died in Bundibugyo and 11 others in Kasese, with scores displaced in separate incidents.

A number of others including the intelligence chief of Kyabarungira subcounty have been injured and four others arrested in connection with the violence.

Mukula, who flew in at around midday, first met the Rwenzururu king, Charles Wesley Mumbere Irema-Ngoma at Mumbere's palace in Kasese Municipality. There, the two held a two-hour closed meeting before flying to Bundibugyo to meet the Omudingiya.

Mumbere committed

Briefing the media after their meeting, Mumbere said he was ready to re-unite with his counterpart, the Obundingiya Bwa Bamba cultural leader, retired Lt Col Martin Kamya, to restore peace in the Rwenzori sub-region.

But Mumbere urged the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Gen Kale Kayihura, to withdraw the heavy police deployment as per an earlier argument between the two at Hotel Margherita mid-last month.

"I am surprised to see that the resolution has not been implemented," said Mumbere, adding that peace was needed first before any lasting solution can be achieved.

He thanked Mukula, his "long-time friend", for visiting him to sympathize with the institution upon the loss of his subjects and their property following the fresh outbreaks in the district.

Mumbere expressed his willingness to cooperate towards restoring peace and unity in the Rwenzori sub-region.

"I am committed and ready to work with His Excellency the President and security personnel in stabilizing the situation in the Rwenzori region since the Rwenzururu was among the stakeholders in the administration of the region.

"I don't think anything can be solved in Rwenzori without including us even if we are cultural leaders," he stressed.

Mumbere recalled that though he and Kamya had started peace and reconciliation meetings a few years ago in Mubende and Busunga in Kabarole districts, the initiatives had collapsed.

"I am therefore committed to reviving my relationship with my counterpart, retired Lt Col. Martin Kamya."

‘Let us finish it'

The Rwenzururu king repeated his earlier complaint that his efforts were being frustrated by "elements who tarnish his name by misreporting him to government officials.

Omusinga also called for an independent commission of inquiry into the causes of atrocities.

"I have suggested to Captain Mukula that an independent commission of enquiry should come and investigate the circumstances surrounding the Rwenzori crisis," he said.

 "I believe that the commission could make recommendations that could let us reach a permanent solution to the problems of the Rwenzori region because there are some issues which are still unfinished."

"This time let us finish it. I request the president to accept my idea of dialogue and the commission instead of deploying heavily armed forces all over the Rwenzori region because actually there is no war."

The cultural leader also asked the president to honour the unfulfilled presidential pledges in the Rwenzori region.

Mukula to report to Museveni  

On his part, Capt. Mukula said that he was going to make a follow-up on the issues raised by the king, which include upgrading the Kasese Airstrip to international standards, the construction of a referral hospital and supporting Rwenzururu Heritage University.

"When we transform the infrastructure, we will be able to combat various diseases, boost the economy and provide employment," he said.

Mukula urged the Omusinga to also convince his subjects who are displaced from their homes in Kasenyi village, Buhuhira sub-county, where four people were killed in clashes between security organs and the residents on March 11.

After the closed meeting and the press briefing, Mumbere hosted Mukula to a lunch at the palace.