President Yoweri Museveni and the Omusinga of the Rwenzururu Kingdom, Charles Wesley Mumbere, have resolved to stop any regressive conflicts between government and kingdom.
The two met at State House, Entebbe, where Mumbere outlined new objectives centered on peace, reconciliation, and socio-economic transformation. The meeting happened barely two months after Mumbere returned home after the 2016 mayhem, which led to his arrest.
“These objectives were communicated to the Lukiiko during the restoration of kingdoms, emphasizing the importance of guiding our African people toward sustainable prosperity through business and strategic security. We won’t compromise on this path,” Museveni said.
Museveni said during the meeting that they reached an understanding that we wouldn’t repeat any regressive conflicts. Cultural heritage should continue to play a vital role, highlighting the interconnectedness of our people.
Mumbere was nabbed on November 27, 2016, after the army invaded the kingdom, killing over 150 people. His premier, Thembo Kitsumbire, would later, on December 15, 2016, be arrested alongside 202 kingdom pages.
Following their arrest, in December 2016, a group of Members of Parliament from the Rwenzori sub-region petitioned the ICC, requesting investigations into the infamous Kasese killings. Over 100 civilians are alleged to have been killed during the assault, and scores were left injured.
The group was produced before Jinja High Court by Eva Luswata and charged with murder, treason, and aggravated robbery. In January 2017, Mumbere was granted a non-cash bond of Shs100 million. His sureties will also sign a non-cash bond of Shs 100 million each. The court restricted his movements to the districts of Kampala, Wakiso, and Jinja during the period of his trial.
Subsequently, on March 16, 2017, the court, Eva Luswata, granted Kitsumbire a non-cash bond of Shs 75 million, while his sureties were bonded for 100 million Shillings each.
In 2019, Kasese leaders, including the former leader of opposition (LOP) in parliament, Winnie Kiiza, threatened to reconsider the dragging of President Museveni, Maj. Gen. Peter Elwelu, and Assistant Inspector General of Police Asuman Mugenyi to the International Criminal Court (ICC) over the attack on Rwenzururu Kingdom.
In December 2022, six Rwenzururu kingdom royal guards were released on bail. The six were released by the International Crimes Division of the High Judge Alice Komuhangi Kaukha on the grounds that they are of advanced age and look frail and sickly, having spent over six years on remand at Jinja Main prison. They were part of 49 royal guards who were arrested together with King Mumbere.
In June, the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Jane Frances Abodo, dropped all charges against Omusinga Charles Wesley Mumbere of Rwenzururu and 217 others.
According to Jaqueline OKui, the spokesperson for ODPP, the charges were dropped after the suspects applied for amnesty.
Museveni, Mumbere resolve to stop regressive conflicts between the government and the kingdom
