Rwenzururu kingdom salutes Museveni, urges subjects to embrace govt peace initiatives

KASESE - The western Uganda Kasese district-based Rwenzururu kingdom has saluted President Yoweri Museveni and the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) government for facilitating the Kingdom's cultural leader’s medical vacation abroad.

In mid-October 2025, Omusinga (king) Charles Wesley Mumbere Kisembo Irema-Ngoma flew to Istanbul in Turkey, on a government fully-paid medication trip.

The Omusinga was accompanied by his wife Agnes Ithungu Asimawe, the Nyabaghole (Queen), his Personal Assistant Bradford Nguru and an aide. They flew back to Uganda on December 22.

According to Kingdom Omulerembera (Prime Minister) Baritazale Benson Kule, the Omusinga is expected back to the kingdom “soon” with “renewed energy” to continue guiding his people to preserve and protect the kingdom’s rich cultural heritage.

“May God continue guiding him (President) as he steers Uganda to greater heights,” the kingdom said in the Christmas day statement signed by Prime Minister Kule and availed to New Vision online December 28.

Join Govt to fight insecurity

In a two-pager statement, the kingdom has urged its subjects to fully support Government to uproot the insecurity that has periodically rocked the area.

Kule underscores security as key to the sustainable socio-development and growth of this highly naturally rich Kasese district and the entire Rwenzori sub-region.

“Let us all join hands with Government to ensure a peaceful Rwenzori Region and Uganda at large,”  he says in the statement issued on December 28, 2025.

He says the kingdom, which is also locally known as Obusinga Bwa Rwenzururu (OBR) notes that peace was top on its five pillars, others being reconciliation, unity-in-diversity, mindset change, cultural and socio-economic transformation.

Kule says peace is part of the OBR rebranding philosophy, adopted after the release of the Rwenzururu king and his co-accused in June 2023.

They had been arrested during a November 27, 2016, joint security raid on the king’s palace and charged with various criminal offences, including treason, terrorism, murder and aggravated robbery.

But Government dropped the charges after the Omusinga and his co-accused sought amnesty.

Recent attacks

The Kingdom’s latest message comes against the backdrop of the November 1 incident in which militia concurrently attacked some parts of Bundibugyo, Ntoroko and Bunyangabu districts and Fort Portal City,  targeting security and civilian institutions.

Commenting on the attacks later, the commander of the Fort Portal City-based Mountains Division, Maj. Gen Stephen Mugerwa, said security and 41 of the attackers had been killed and almost 100 captured alive across Kasese, Fort Portal City and Bundibugyo.

Addressing various security and media personnel at the Division’s Muhoti Barracks, he said the attackers came from various tribes across Uganda and cautioned the public against tribalising the unfortunate incident, but look at it as a national one.

On November 24, the suspects, two of them women, were arraigned in court in Kasese Chief Magistrate’s Court, charged with terrorism, treason, murder, attempted murder, financing terrorism, aggravated robbery and human trafficking and remanded to Mubuku Government Prison.

Presiding over the court session at Rukoki, Chief Magistrate George Mfitundinda did not allow the accused to take plea.

He explained that the Chief Magistrate’s Court has no jurisdiction to hear such capital offences and, therefore, ordered their remand until December 23 to reappear in court as investigations into their case continue.

Calls for intercultural harmony

The Rwenzururu Premier also called for inter-cultural harmony in the kingdom, which hosts over 50 ethnicities, mainly the Bakonzo, Basongora, Banyabindi, Bakingwe, Batooro, Bamba, Banyakole, Bakiga, Baganda and several Nilotic groups.

“Our diverse culture should be looked at as an opportunity and exploited to foster development,” he said.

Heal old wounds

The kingdom also called on the community to use the Xmass season to heal old wounds, forgive and restore relationships that have been strained, fostering understanding and mutual respect.”

“The year 2026 should be a time for love, respect for each other’s culture and reconciliation.”

Kule further urged the people in the region to continue investing in their communities, promoting cultural pride and supporting initiatives that enhance their socioeconomic well-being.

“Political, civil and cultural leaders should use this festive season to mobilise people for development,” added the Prime Minister.

He further asked the subjects to develop positive thinking as part of a mindset change, responsible actions and forward-looking attitudes that benefit both the current and future generations.

The Premier also appealed to politicians to play politics of love, unity and development, urging all to pray for peaceful elections.