Kasese, (UG): The Omusinga (King) of Rwenzururu, His Majesty Charles Wesley Mumbere yesterday (Wednesday) made a grand return to his kingdom in Kasese District after nearly seven years of absence.
The Court seven years ago barred Omusinga from accessing his kingdom as part of his bail conditions after he was charged with treason, murder, attempted murder and other charges after he was arrested and detained when his Buhikira Royal Palace in Kasese was raided by joint security forces in November 2016.
During the attack, the Mumbere, together with more than 200 royal guards, and some kingdom officials were arrested and imprisoned as the attack left more than 100 people dead and scores injured.
Prior to the palace attack, top security chiefs in the country alleged that the palace was training royal guards to destabilise the country and he had been told to disband the guards, but in vain.
However, with the charges recently dropped by DPP, the Rwenzururu King was declared a free man to return to his kingdom which excited his subjects to welcome him yesterday afternoon.
The Omusinga’s homecoming function was organized by a committee headed by Dr Nathaniel Mumbere Walemba, who led the crowds lining up on the streets in Kasese to welcome Mumbere.
The Omusinga and the Nyabaghole (queen) arrived at Kasese airfield aboard a chartered aircraft at around 11 am and headed straight to their temporary royal residence at Mbogo Road in Muyenga, Kasese Municipality where cultural rituals welcoming the king were performed.
At 1 pm, the Mumbere made his way to the Golf Course in Bulembia Division, Kasese Municipality, where he addressed thousands of his gathering subjects.
While addressing the audience, His Majesty, King Charles Wesley Mumbere Irama-Ngoma applauded the people of Rwenzuru for their unending love towards the kingdom.
The king further applauded officials including legislators in the district for staying close during the herd times the kingdom passed through.
He also acknowledged cultural leaders for upholding the kingdom even when it has financial challenges but persists in ensuring that our identity stands. The Omusinga finally appreciated God for laying off the burden of charges that were slapped against him along with the royal guards.
The Bishop of South Ruwenzori diocese, Rt Rev Zerebende Thembo Jackson who led the prayers praised God for causing such happiness in the Rwenzori region and said that in this rebranded kingdom the Obusinga should have a ministry that will coordinate church leaders to the kingdom.
Rev Zerebende tasked everyone in the kingdom to support all the programs that will be laid down to uplift the kingdom to the next level.
The Bishop also revealed that the kingdom is set to launch a five-point program which includes tourism, peacebuilding, reconciliation, developmental cultural norms and empowering education, to shine the kingdom and be an example of a good tourist home in Uganda.
Representing the government, the State Minister for ICT, Hon Godfrey Kabbyanga Baluku who hails from Kasese spoke joy of the King’s homecoming saying; “We are all thrilled to have him back and look forward to resuming our strong and mutual partnership with him,”
Kabbyanga said the NRM government has consistently supported the people of Rwenzururu Kingdom, recognizing the vital role that cultural institutions play in our societies.
“We thank them for their role in this positive and momentous occasion, recognizing their respect for traditional customs,” the Minister said.
“As we welcome back His Majesty the King of Rwenzururu Kingdom, let us remember the importance of cultural heritage and the role traditional leaders play in our communities. Let us continue to work together, and support our King and his vision for a peaceful and prosperous Kasese,” he added.
Hon Sowedi Kitanywathe, the MP Busongora North Constituency in Kasese in his speech preached unity, peace, mindset change, reconciliation and social-economic transformation as key issues to emphasize in the rebuilding of the Kingdom’s legacy.
Another MP, Gideon Tembo Mujungu (Busongora South) applauded the government for releasing the king together with others. He added that although the day shall always be remembered on what happened to this kingdom, he implored the subjects of the Rwenzururu kingdom to reconcile and start a new journey which should aim at developing the kingdom.
The Kasese District Woman MP, Hon Florence Kabugho in her remarks to the media said that even though happiness is everywhere in the kingdom, the government should consider the renovation of the palace since it was the one which bombed it.
Ms Kabugho also tasked the government to involve the recently released royal guards, widows who lost their husbands during the 2016 attack and orphans in government programs including PDM Emyooga among others.
Christopher Kibanzanga Bwambale the chief prince asked the Obusinga bwa Rwenzururu subjects to forget the seven years of pain but focus on a new re-branded kingdom.
Christopher added that the coming of King Charles back to his kingdom is an indication of reconciliation with government powers which he said will pave a bright future for the young children in the kingdom.
Locals who were bursting with happiness at the homecoming of the king, praised God for his unending love, saying they had grown weary but because of God’s, he has brought back the king.
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