Govt to set Rwenzururu suspects free

CULTURE|OBUSINGA|RWENZURURU 

KASESE - The Government is to start releasing subjects and some of the officials of the Obusinga Bwa Rwenzururu who were arrested and jailed following the November 2016 security raid on the cultural institution.

During the raid, security forces also picked the Rwenzururu king, Omusinga Charles Wesley Mumbere. Sixteen security operatives and over 100 other subjects died in the incident.

Mumbere and his subjects were arraigned in court on various charges, including terrorism, treason, murder and theft.

The subjects were remanded to various prisons, while Mumbere and several kingdom officials got released on bail. However, the Rwenzururu leader lives in a Kampala residence and is not allowed to visit his kingdom.

According to the recently appointed Rwenzururu prime minister, Joseph Kule Muranga, following negotiations with the Government, the suspects will be released in phases, starting with 147 of them.

Muranga said they opted to engage the Government in an out-of-court settlement.

He said there were also plans to rehabilitate and skill the subjects after their release. "The Government will also be requested to give them tools to start a new life," he said.

Muranga said the Government would secure to host the king's residence and a separate site for the palace as discussions continue to have the Omusinga return.

He added that his leadership was determined to develop the region, including planting trees in the region.

In a message delivered by the Rwenzururu Nyabaghole (queen) in Kasese, the Omusinga called for peace and reconciliation.