Prime
Rwenzururu Kingdom rejects Basongora king
Rwenzururu king Mumbere and his subjects have rejected the new Basongora king, saying a kingdom within a kingdom cannot emerge. PHOTO BY Felix Basiime.
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The family of the late Princes Kogere of Katwe-Kabatoro Town Council has also said they will not recognise the King of the Basongora, claiming that Busongora Kingdom is under the leadership of the Babiito clan.
KASESE
Three days after Basongora ethnic group crowned their king in Kasese, the Rwenzururu Kingdom has cancelled the establishment of Busongora Heritage Kingdom and the coronation of King Rwigi IV Kabumba Rutakirwa Ivan Bwebale.
Bwebale was crowned king of the Basongora and other minority ethnic groups in Kasese District at his home in Muhokya Sub-county on Sunday, a day after Rwenzururu King Charles Wesley Mumbere and subjects celebrated 50 years of existence.
In a Tuesday press statement signed by the acting prime minister of the Rwenzururu Kingdom, Ms Loice Biira Bwambale, the cabinet sitting on Tuesday resolved not to recognise the Busongora Heritage Kingdom.
No other kingdom
The statement, of which Daily Monitor has a copy, indicates that the Rwenzururu Kingdom has learnt that a king of the Basongora has been installed and the cabinet has come up with a number of resolutions as directed by King Charles Wesley Mumbere. “We cannot have a kingdom within our kingdom. Obusinga Bwa Rwenzururu does not recognise the so-called king of the Basongora, and therefore declares that his coronation that was conducted last Sunday is null and void,” the statement reads in part.
The prime minister also directed that the Rwenzururu anthem and flag that were allegedly banned in the area covered by Busongora Kingdom must continue being used as they are recognised symbols of the kingdom.
Ms Bwambale in her statement also warns all ethnic groups in the Rwenzururu Kingdom against disrespecting the Omusinga (King), structures and symbols of the monarchy to avoid further provocation. It was also resolved that the claim of 20 sub-counties by the “so-called” Busongora Kingdom is redundant and laughable because there are no sub-county and district resolutions to back the claim.
The Rwenzururu Kingdom cabinet also asked the central government to come clear on the installation of Rutakirwa Ivan Bwebale. Meanwhile, the Rwenzururu Kingdom prime minister has called for a series of meetings and asked for calmness from locals over the matter.
Consultations
According to her statement, from July 6 to 13, meetings involving clan leaders, chieftains, Rwenzururu veterans (freedom fighters), youths and scouts, and the kingdom parliament will be held to assess further the matter. However, the Busongora Heritage Kingdom information minister, Mr James Kainamura, said he was not in position to comment on the matter, adding that he will first consult the higher authorities. Mr Kainamura said he has personally been intimidated verbally by sections of the Bakonzo who say “there will be no Kingdom for the Basongora in the district”.
