Kasese leaders, including the former leader of opposition (LOP) in parliament who doubles as the Kasese woman MP, Winnie Kiiza, have threatened to reconsider the dragging of president Museveni, Maj. Gen peter Elwelu and Assistant Inspector General of Police Asuman Mugenyi to International criminal Court (ICC) over the attack of Rwenzururu kingdom in 2016 and blocking of king Charles Wesley Mumbere from attending the burial ceremony of his mother.
In December 2016, a group of Members of Parliament from the Rwenzori sub-region, petitioned ICC, requesting for investigations into the infamous Kasese killings. Over 100 civilians were killed during the assault and scores left injured, with the king currently facing terrorism prosecution.
The Queen Mother, Her Royal Highness Christine Biira Mukirania died on Tuesday last week at Kilembe Hospital where she had been admitted and was laid to rest at their ancestral land in Bundibugyo amid controversy.
After she was pronounced dead, King Mumbere through his layers led by Celeb Alaka and Samuel Muyizzi, petitioned high Court seeking for relaxation of bail conditions to allow him attend the burial ceremony of his mother.
High court judge, Eva Luswata, allowed him to travel to the three districts that constitute the Kingdom and cultural practices for the sendoff of his mother.
To her dismay, Kiiza said the Omusinga did not attend the burial ceremony after the state minister for agriculture Christopher Kibanzanga decided to transport the body to Bundibugyo where she was buried.
“We got shocked that the government expected around 15 people at the airstrip, we were also shocked that the government expected a list of people to attend the queen mother’s burial, in our culture we don’t invite people for burial. We were also surprised to know that the body of the queen mother was guarded by UPDF while in the mortuary,” she said during a press briefing.
Kiiza said till now the king has not accessed Kasese even after court relaxed her bail conditions. “We are worried that our king may not access Kasese in the two weeks that were granted to him by court. We want to consider dragging them to ICC.”
“I send my sincere appreciation to the people of Kasese that braved the sun in waiting for our King, His Majesty Omusinga Charles Wesley Mumbere. Even amidst the unfavorable circumstances, I would like to reassert that our efforts in waiting for the Omusinga are not in vain. As day follows the night, and by the grace of God, we shall today, tomorrow or the other day have him back home. We shall not give in or give up,” she said
In a couple of days, president Museveni is expected in Kasese sub region as part of his own-going campaign on poverty eradication and wealth creation.
