http://ugandaradionetwork.com/a/story.php?s=57418
The cold war between Tooro and Rwenzururu Kingdoms is taking a new twist
as both institutions demand for royalties from the central government.
The relations between the two cultural entities have been frosty since
2009 when Rwenzururu was recognized as a separate kingdom, effectively
breaking away from Tooro. A year later, Charles Wesley Mumbere
Iremangoma was installed as the Rwenzururu king, a demand that started
in 1962 when Mumbere’s father Isaaya Mukirania led a group of Bamba and
Bakonzo leaders to rebel against Tooro Kingdom.
Mukirania died in 1966 and left Mumbere, then a young boy as his heir.
Despite the installation of Mumbere as king in 2000, Tooro never
officially warmed up to its new neighbour, even though they never openly
denounced Mumbere.
On Saturday, Rwenzururu marked the 47th coronation anniversary of
Omusinga Mumbere, at which function Omusinga Charles Wesley Mumbere said
the government should pay royalties to his kingdom. Tooro Prime
Minister Steven Kaliba was in attendance, the first time a high ranking
official from Tooro had attended an event organized by Rwenzururu.
Though he didn’t mention the resources, Mumbere has in the past argued
that Rwenzururu should be paid royalties from resources which include
Katwe salt lake, Kilembe Mines, Hima cement factory and the Queen
Elizabeth national park all in Kasese district.
However, Uganda Radio Network has established that Tooro Kingdom wants
government to pay royalties for the same resources. The resources are
some of the items that have been compiled by the team that is
negotiating with the government for the return of the Tooro kingdom
assets.
In a telephone interview, the Tooro Premier Steven Kaliba told Uganda
Radio Network that he is surprised that the Rwenzururu is demanding for
what still belongs to Tooro.
Kaliba says that the royalties can’t revert to Rwenzururu and yet Tooro
hasn’t been receiving the royalties since the restoration of cultural
institutions in 1993. Asked if the Kingdom should be compensated, Kaliba
said the matter will be decided by the Kingdom Parliament, the
Orukurato.
John Baranga, a historical member of the Orukurato, says some areas like
Hamukungu in Queen Elizabeth National Park are historical in Tooro
Kingdom and can’t just be given away to Rwenzururu. Hamukungu, then part
of Tooro, is where the then King of Tooro, Sir George Rukidi III
received Queen Elizabeth II when she visited Tooro Kingdom in 1954.
But in a telephone interview, Rwenzururu Kingdom spokesperson Patrick
Nyamunungu defended the demand for the royalties. Nyamunungu says since
Rwenzururu is officially recognized by government, it should also have
the assets that belong to it as an independent entity.
During the coronation anniversary celebrations, however, the Omusinga
extended an olive branch to Tooro Kingdom and requested for a meeting
between himself and King Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV. Mumbere
said that if they could meet, they will discuss and forge a united
strategy to develop the Rwenzori region.
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