
Obusinga Bwa Rwenzururu: Press Statement about the Burning of hte Omusinga’s Royal Residence in Kasese Town 28th January 2021 (28.01.2021)

“KASESE – The Government is to start releasing subjects and some of the officials of the Obusinga Bwa Rwenzururu who were arrested and jailed following the November 2016 security raid on the cultural institution. During the raid, security forces also picked the Rwenzururu king, Omusinga Charles Wesley Mumbere. Sixteen security operatives and over 100 other subjects died in the incident” (John B. Thawite – ‘Govt to set Rwenzururu suspects free’ 21.11.2020, New Vision).
Since the 26th November 2016 and the Kasese clashes the Obusinga bwa Rwenzururu Charles Wesley Mumbere have been in exile and charged with two counts of murder, which if he had been indicted and on trial for it. The King of the Rwenzururu could get prison for life. However, the King and his men who has been arrested in 2016. Have never gotten justice, neither all the people who died those pivotal days in Kasese and at the Buhikira Royal Place who was burned down as well.
The charge was put on the King on the 28th November 2016. The case against have never been resolved and he has been put in exile ever since. Only allowed one visit to participate in a burial of his mother. Before having to return back to Kampala.
What is also striking about this, there was never any investigation into the murders and the mass-killings, as the Special Force Command and Flying Squad was participating in attacking the Royal Palace in October 2016. Like the state came with official numbers from 2016 was 62 deceased, but these other nunbers 70 identified dead, another 52 unidentified dead and 14 police officers dead. That is near double of what the says, which was 136 killed during the skirmishes.
The claimed they we’re going after the “Kirumiramutima” or “the Strong Hearted” a militia gathering in the area and soldiering up. Working together with the Kingdom. Alas, the reason for the sudden attack on the Palace and killing civilians. This taking lives of the Palace Guards and others in Kasese. However, what is sadly striking… is that this militia have never surfaced before or after the skirmishes of the state. It is seemingly on the state violence and their operation that created the deaths these days 4 years ago.
Still, there have been no investigation or look into the amount of killings. Only a dark and grim day of burring unidentified in a ceremony by clerical persons. Doing it while the army was monitoring the events. Therefore, we know the lives taken was quickly buried and hoped that no one question it.
While the King is charged with murder and has also charged with treason. There has never been any evidence of this. Neither has the militia the state claimed appeared and was dangerous haven’t been seen since the skirmishes four years ago. If that isn’t sign. Nothing really is.
That is why the state has to release these “suspects” because they are pulling things out of thin air. If there was anything. The state would have had a case and found them guilty of conspiring and doing criminal activity. Alas, that is not the case. The same should happen to the Obusinga as well. Since, they have no claim to hold him. Other than loosing their pride.
The ones that need to challenged and questioned for their actions in November 2016. Is the leadership of the SFC and the Flying Squad. This being Presidential Advisor on Security and former leader of the SFC Maj. Gen. Muhoozi Kainerubaga and army commander Gen. Elwelu who both was in-charge that day. However, these two gentlemen has since then promoted and not suffered any consequences over their actions. While the victims of it has faced the law with no proof. This is why they are getting released. The Kings Guard that was arrested shouldn’t only be released, but get punitive damages and get vindicated. Since, this was injustice and making them guilty before being innocent.
What happened in Kasese and the aftermath is the sort of act, which no Government with sense should do to their citizens. Alas, it did happen and went down, a tragedy and massacre. A state sponsored enterprise with no efforts or no investigation into how it did happen. As well as any indication or proof of the supposed intelligence to spark the attack on the Palace in the first place.
Therefore, the injustice and impunity of the state is so viable. The wounds are still fresh. This didn’t happen a decade ago. It just happened months after the previous election. It is therefore vital that this doesn’t go away, but is a reminder of what the state does to its own. How little life matters and little consequences there is taking lives. If it had consequences and had effects on the ones taking the lives in Kasese. They wouldn’t walk free and without any cases against them. These folks in the Flying Squad and Special Force Command wouldn’t be allowed to carry guns. They would be charged with murder and manslaughter themselves. However, that is not the case and it doesn’t seem to happen with this regime. They rather hope people forget and only hopes the families of the lost ones moves on in silence. Peace.
“They will not hand over power to ideologically bankrupt Politicians” – Brig. Deus Sande
There been so many National Resistance Army (NRA) Generals who has dismissed the opposition. That Sande is going after the National Unity Platform (NUP) and Robert Kyagulanyi aka Bobi Wine.
The Uganda People’s Defence Force (UPDF) is supposed to be non-partisan. However, they tend to usually sway in favour of the National Resistance Movement (NRM). The army is working for the ruling regime and the President. That the will never hand over to anyone who they doesn’t deem fit. Usually they dismiss the opposition in a heart beat.
The Army Commanders and Officers also intimidate and say they will ensure the continuation of the Republic. The UPDF will never leave the Presidency to a doctor or a colonel. This they used to say about Dr. Kizza Besigye. He was never enough or good enough. He was an upstart and not even a good medic. A person who would never be the commander-in-chief of the army.
When they do that Besiye. How do you expect they react to a musician like Bobi Wine? Expect them to just give way and not speak out. These people are used to it and has done so for over a generation.
That is why there been countless of high ranking officials within the UPDF who has dismissed the opposition and their leaders over the years. The same with former Generals who are serving in the Cabinet and who are “elected” Members of Parliament (MP), which are there too. They are all doing the same as Sande.
It is not like his alone in this and speaking out like he did. No, his one out of plenty. There been so many saying these things. That it’s not shocking anymore, but more ordinary fashion from the NRA Historicals, UPDF Commanders and retired army commanders appointed to high ranking roles within the NRM. They are always throwing shade and saying they would never accept a civilian or somebody who is not anointed by them.
Now they are going after Bobi Wine and NUP. In the past it would be the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) and Besigye. However, we are in 2020 and Bobi Wine is the main target. Peace.
“f you are not working for the enemy, you cannot go on the social-media and demand that we publish the names of the personnel of UPDF, their ranks and their jobs. The only thing we can say and what you know is that recruitment into the Police and UPDF is by quota. Beyond that, leave our Army alone and I mean, leave our Army alone” – Yoweri Kaguta Museveni (03.09.2020).
In the response the President wrote today. He addressed a lot of matters. That is why I am making a second post on it. This time about the Uganda People’s Defence Force (UPDF) or the Army. We are seeing how the President is defending it. As there been inquiries and questions about how the army is a “western” Ugandan enterprise filled with high ranking officials from there. This is something Museveni doesn’t want to properly address.
I’m not shocked he is dismissing it. That his calling people enemies for doing so. Because, if the UPDF isn’t filled with loyal cadres. He would be frightened, as his popularity in the public is frail over the years. The President needs the army and armed forces, because the public isn’t behind him anymore. That is why the President doesn’t accept accountability or transparency in concern with the UPDF.
“Coming to the Armed Forces, especially the Army, my advice to all of you, is that leave your Army out of that nonsense. The NRA, the UPDF are Armies of sacrifice, all the time for no pay or low pay. They (we) put their lives on the line. Therefore, leave UPDF out of the circus of sectarianism. Fighters, real fighters, never have interests in tribes or religious sectarianism; but in comrade-in-arms” – Museveni (03.09.2020).
Because, we know the UPDF have a history of selective recruitment and promotions. If the President wanted to be against sectarianism and be open to all tribes of the Republic. There wouldn’t be an issue, if it wasn’t something there.
This has been known for a long while… the UPDF and the army is filled high ranking officials from Western Uganda. That is not just mere speculation, but facts at this point. If it wasn’t so, the President would say so. However, he doesn’t want people to question the reasons for it.
He wants the people to accept it and leave it alone. It is wrong to look into the armed forces and its structure. That shows that the President fears scrutiny and transparency about this. He wants to stop questions and silence it.
The president knows his only way to keep power is having the loyalty and the control of the army. If he looses that at this point…. he will loose power and it will end his reign. The President needs the soldiers, generals and armed forces all behind him. He needs to have their backs and not loose them.
That is why the President doesn’t want anyone to look into the army and what it does. The UPDF is therefore untouchable… at least in the eyes of the President. However, that is not good. As the UPDF should defend the territory and its citizens. Not be a weapon of intimidation or tactics to scare the public. It is there to defend them.
If the President is that defensive and scared of looking into the army. You know his in trouble and worried about the truth. He should be open, transparent and accountable about it. Alas, his not, because he knows… as we know that its not run like it should. Peace.
Ever since November 2016, the Kasese killings, the fire of the Buhikira Royal Palace and the killings of several of the Rwenzururu Kingdoms Royal Guards by the Special Force Command and the Flying Squad. Ever since then, the Obusinga bwa Rwenzururu Charles Wesley Mumbere and 190 Royals Guards have awaited trial and sentencing.
Still, to this day, as the charges of terrorism and since January 2017 after a bail hearing, been living in exile in Kampala with restricted movement and conditions awaiting trial. Now for the last few days after his mother passing in Kasese. He had to go to trial to be allowed to enter his own Kingdom and be back in Kasese district, where the Kingdom of Rwenzururu reside. However, it’s been granted today. Nevertheless, we have seen how court orders have given way, but the Police have re-arrested a person on the fly a minute after.
This Court Order will not stop the Court Ship, nor the legal trouble of the King. Even as the state has promoted the leaders and commanders within the army, who attacked this kingdom and killed his kin. That is the sort of the leadership that is in Kampala these days, maybe some have forgotten that, but Gen. Elewu have gotten a raise and more responsibility after the acts done that in Kasese.
The Exiled King would only get a brief 14 days to visit his Kingdom, act ceremonial and bury his mother. The rest is going back to Kampala and living as a man charged with terrorism, but no pending trial nor proof of discovery on the matter. Therefore, his case is prolonged and his future is uncertain. As he lives in Buganda Kingdom, waiting to be allowed to rebuild and run his ceremonial kingdom in Kasese. This is the sort of nation the NRM has created.
The Exiled King will stay exiled for now. Not like if he returns and will get to stay. The President, the Special Force Command nor the leadership in Kampala is interested in that. They want to keep him away. That is what it seems, since they have not pinned him to the cross and they don’t want him to pay for their sins.
If they did, they would have done it already and figured out a way to cleans the hands of blood from their own. Peace.
There is times for the ones in power to called upon their bullshit. This sort of comments is foolish. It is not like the opposition has the army or have the police at their beckoning-call. They are following orders from above high and the authorities run by the ruling regime. The way the soldiers and police officers acts towards the citizens are report-on and uploaded instantly to the social media. So, if the Police or the Army is acting out. The world will know, the foreign investors will know. Therefore, if the President and VP cares about this. Maybe, they shouldn’t crash any opposition meeting. Maybe not send their ill-disciplined security officers.
VP Edward Ssekandi are really using the tactic of warning the citizens, while they are the ones oppressed. It wasn’t them sending the army to Entebbe or ordering the Presidential Guards into Kamwokya, Kampala recently. No, that was from above and their acts in Mityana and elsewhere, just resembles the chaotic nation he speaks off.
“GOMBA- Vice President Edward Kiwanuka Ssekandi has warned that the country risks losing a number of foreign investors if Ugandans don’t shun political violence and land conflicts.“Be cautious about the ugly scenes you’re creating in our country because investors can’t put their money in a chaotic nation. Peace and security are paramount in attracting investments and therefore, I wish to call upon all Ugandans to ensure peace wherever you’re to see miracles of these investors here,” he said” (Mbogo, 2018).
Maybe not speak of chaos, on the day your government order the soldiers and the police to make road-blocks all around Masaka, because Robert Kyagulanyi aka Bobi Wine travels from Kasangati to Masaka. Clearly, the NRM hasn’t gotten the memo from the big-man Ssekandi. Whose stretch of powers seems abysmal, as the Prime Minister has more of an office and voice within the Presidency.
While it is like that. Ssekandi should maybe think of what Bosco does and what orders he gives. As it is him whose most responsible for the acts of the Special Force Command and the Police, which is in-charge and the ones doing the torture. Doing the preventative arrests and whatnot else, which is creating chaos and problems. We know that the authorities just turned of the electricity, as Bobi Wine was addressing the nation from the United States. Therefore, the VP needs to address the State House. And not the citizens.
So, VP Ssekandi call-up Bosco, tell him to order the military back to the barracks and battlefields. Not be in public to intimidate and create chaos. Peace.
Reference:
Sadat Mbogo – ‘Political violence, land conflicts scare away investors – says Ssekandi’ 28.09.2018 link:http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Political-violence-land-conflicts-investors-Ssekandi-solar/688334-4781474-8893gwz/index.html