Prime
Mumbere’s Bundibugyo visit halted
King Charles Mumbere on several occasions has been restricted from travelling to Bundibugyo. PHOTO BY FELIX BASIIME.
What you need to know:
The king was supposed to hold celebrations in Bundibugyo at the end of this month but cultural officials there have protested the visit.
BUNDIBUGYO
Security officials in the Rwenzori sub-region have asked the King of Rwenzururu Kingdom, Mr Charles Mumbere, to halt his planned visit to Bundibugyo District to prevent possible tribal clashes.
On March 20, kingdom authorities wrote to the Bundibugyo Resident District Commissioner (RDC), Mr Samuel Kazinga, notifying him of plans by King Mumbere to hold yearly celebrations dubbed “Peace Day” there.
The day is marked in honour of the Rwenzururu Movement, which was declared in 1962 in Bundibugyo when three representatives from Kasese and Bundibugyo districts walked out of Tooro Kingdom Rukurato (parliament) in protest over alleged oppression.
“…Rwenzururu cultural institution is intending to celebrate its Peace Day on June 30, 2013 in Bundibugyo and the function will be in Bughendera County in Ngamba Sub-county,” the letter reads in part.
However, Mr Fulgensio Bamwitirebye, the chairperson of the Obudhingiya Bwa Bwamba Cultural institution protested the visit in a May 11 letter addressed to Mr Kazinga.
“The purpose of this letter is to inform you that Obusinga Bwa Rwenzururu activities, including the planned visit of King Mumbere to Bundibugyo district is unacceptable,” the letter reads in part. “Mr RDC, you recall in the meeting we held at State House Entebbe with His Excellency the President on September 18, 2012 … the President condemned the June 30, 2012 incident in Bundibugyo emphasising that the centre of gravity for the Obusinga Bwa Rwenzururu activities be in Kasese and not in Bundibugyo,” the letter adds.
Top leaders and security officials in the region later held a meeting in Bundibugyo recently, resolving that Mumberere postpones his visit until the Bamba-Babwisi restore their king.
