Omusinga Returns Home on Wednesday

The Omusinga of the Rwenzururu Kingdom, Charles Wesley Mumbere, is set to make his official return home on Wednesday, October 4, 2023, marking the end of a seven-year absence since his arrest in 2016.

The homecoming event, organized by a committee, had a planned budget of approximately 9 billion Shillings. Out of this budget, around 4.6 billion Shillings has been allocated to the Royal Springs International Hotel, formerly owned by the late Gen. James Kazini, where the main event is scheduled to take place.

The chairman of the organizing committee, Joseph Kule Muranga, who also serves as the Kingdom Premier, has been working closely with the three pillars of the Kingdom: the Royal Family, Kingdom Veterans, and Chieftains to ensure the success of this event.

It remains uncertain whether the entire budget has been covered. Recently, Muranga had been appealing to local legislators to help mobilize funds from friends and make personal contributions to bridge the financial gap. Notably, Robert Kyagulanyi, the leader of the National Unity Platform (NUP) party, showed support by contributing 10 million Shillings towards the event.

King Mumbere and over 200 kingdom subjects were arrested in 2016 following a raid on the Buhikira royal palace in Kasese Town, led by the army. While the last batch of 62 freed royal guards returned to Kasese last month, King Mumbere, who had also secured amnesty over charges of terrorism, murder, and multiple counts of attempted murder, was eagerly awaiting his homecoming.

The Democratic Party (DP), through its Acting Party Spokesperson Ismail Kiirya, has congratulated Mumbere and his subjects on their return. Kiirya emphasized the importance of reconciliation between the Omusinga’s people and the government. He urged the people of Rwenzururu to let go of issues such as finger-pointing, revenge, and discrimination, and instead focus on rebuilding their kingdom for a brighter future.

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