Summary:
- President Museveni met with Rwenzururu King Omusinga Charles Wesley Mumbere, expressing satisfaction with the kingdom’s alignment with the NRM vision for Uganda’s transformation and pledging support for unity, prosperity, and strategic security.
On December 13th, 2023, President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni engaged in discussions with His Majesty Omusinga Charles Wesley Mumbere of the Rwenzururu Kingdom and his wife, Her Royal Highness Nyabaghole Agnes Ithungu Asimawe, at State House in Entebbe.
In the private meeting, President Museveni expressed his satisfaction with the Rwenzururu Kingdom’s initiation of a new phase aligned with the vision of the National Resistance Movement (NRM) for Uganda’s transformation. He conveyed his contentment that the Kingdom now embraces the NRM’s vision, emphasizing its three historical missions of prosperity, socio-economic transformation, and strategic security.
President Museveni, addressing Omusinga Mumbere and his accompanying cabinet members, highlighted the government’s intent in restoring Kingdoms. This restoration aimed to empower traditional leaders to mobilize for socio-economic transformation, including universal education and integration into the monetary economy. He underscored the importance of these institutions when managed effectively and recalled his commitment to supporting kingdoms that prioritize unity for prosperity and strategic security.
Regarding cultural and heritage matters, President Museveni urged traditional leaders to emphasize the unity among kingdoms rather than their differences, recognizing the interconnectedness of their people.
Assuring the Rwenzururu Kingdom of the government’s commitment, President Museveni announced plans for the construction of the Kingdom palace in Kasese and promised an enhancement in monthly allowances for the kingdoms in the upcoming financial year.
Addressing the issue of political interference, President Museveni cautioned against taking sides in politics, asserting that such involvement could be perilous. He underscored that the government would not deviate from its historical mission.
Earlier in the meeting, Deputy Prime Minister Edwin Kugonza informed the President about the new chapter launched by Omusinga Mumbere upon his return to Kasese in October 2023. The chapter focuses on peace, reconciliation, and socio-economic transformation through government programs like the Parish Development Model.
The gathering also saw the attendance of the Minister of State for ICT and National Guidance, Hon Godfrey Kabbyanga Baluku, Deputy Attorney General Hon Jackson Kafuuzi, and several ministers from the Obusinga Bwa Rwenzururu (OBR). Notably, this marked the first meeting between President Museveni and Rwenzururu King Omusinga Charles Wesley Mumbere Iremangoma since the latter’s arrest seven years ago.
