http://ugandaradionetwork.com/a/story.php?s=54288
Tooro Kingdom is in talks with leaders in Ntoroko district to end their negative stance to the kingdom.
Tensions between Tooro Kingdom and local leaders in Ntoroko district
started last year in July when a group named, the Anti-Tooro Kingdom’s
Interference in Butuku emerged, claiming that Ntoroko district isn’t
part of Tooro. The group warned Tooro Kingdom against extending its
cultural values and influence to Butuku. At that time, the group
protested King Oyo’s proposed visit to the area.
On Monday, a delegation of Tooro Kingdom officials led by Steven Kaliba,
the Kingdom Premier, travelled to Ntoroko district and met some members
of the group and pleaded with them to be part of the kingdom
activities.
Vincent Haliri, the Tooro Kingdom information minister, told Uganda
Radio Network that the visit to Ntoroko was aimed at addressing some of
the concerns of the group. Haliri says that the delegation from the
Kingdom was surprised by the sudden change in the leaders attitude and
yet since time immemorial, they were paid allegiance to King Oyo.
He says that as part of the reconciliation, they plan to elect
representatives from Ntoroko to be members of the Kingdom parliament,
the Orukurato. Haliri also says that they also want to extend some of
the Kingdom activities to Ntoroko like giving bursaries to needy
children, promoting the granary project among others.
//Cue in: “we decided to visit…
Cue out: “…people with that kind of thinking.”//
Uganda Radio Network has established from some Kingdom sources that the
visit by the kingdom premier was also to prepare ground for King Oyo
Nyimba Kabamba Iguru’s visit to Ntoroko in early September, as part of
the activities to celebrate his 20th coronation (Empango) anniversary.
In a telephone interview, Timothy Kyamanywa, the Ntoroko district LC V
chairperson who is a member of the anti-kingdom group said he attended
the meeting as a leader, but maintains that Ntoroko district is not
being part of Tooro Kingdom.
Kyamanywa says that King Oyo is free to visit Ntoroko as an individual
since he has relatives there and not as a King. King Oyo’s mother Best
Kemigisa is a Mutuku from Ntoroko. He also says that the Batooro living
are free to be elected members of the Kingdom parliament, but not the
Batuku.
In a telephone interview, Kaliba says that the Kingdom will continue to
hold talks with the group in a bid to invlove them in all kingdom
activties.
Last year, Kyamanywa banned the Tooro Kingdom Anthem in the district.
Kyamanywa said that by singing the Tooro Kingdom anthem, it meant that
Ntoroko is part of the Kingdom yet it is not.
Last week, six head teachers in Ntoroko district face disciplinary
action for allowing the Tooro Kingdom Anthem to be sang in their
schools.
Tuesday, 9 July 2013
Monday, 8 July 2013
Fort Portal Hospital Workers On Strike
http://ugandaradionetwork.com/a/story.php?s=54240
Medical workers at Fort Portal Referral Hospital have again gone on a sit down strike, paralyzing work at the hospital.
This is the fourth time the medical workers have gone on strike to protest government’s failure to pay their salaries for three months.
A visit to the hospital by the Uganda Radio Network reporter on Monday saw patients, especially in the Out-Patients Department (OPD), in desperate need for help. Some of the patients were sleeping on the floor, waiting for treatment, but in vain. Some of the attendants have been forced to transfer the patients to other health facilities.
In the male and female wards, some of the patients were being attended to by intern doctors from Fort Portal Nursing School. The maternity ward, x-ray and pediatric ward have all been abandoned. Three expectant mothers were also denied entrance to the maternity ward by the striking staff. Their relatives were forced to transfer them to another health facility.
Patients were also stopped at the gate and denied entrance to the hospital, by the hospital security guards, who told them to return home, since there is no medical worker to attend to them. Some medical workers jeered at patients who pleaded for help.
David Mwesige, a patient from Kamwenge district, says that he was supposed to have a hernia operation on Monday morning. Mwesige says that he has no option but wait until the workers return for duty, since he has no money to go to a private health facility.
Charles Mali, the Chairperson of the Uganda Medical Workers Union Fort Portal branch, told Uganda Radio Network that last week they resolved to lay down their tools after failure to have their salaries paid by the third day of July.
According to Mali, the health workers demand salaries for April, May and June. He says that unlike in the past when they called off their strike after meetings with the hospital administration, this time they have vowed not to call it off until the money has been deposited on their bank accounts.
In a telephone interview, the acting Hospital director Oscar Kaliisa Kyebambe said they tried to convince the staff to continue with work until they are paid, but they failed to adhere.
According to Kaliisa, the hospital administration has left the matter to the Ministry of Health.
However in a statement released today by the Dr Charles Olaro, the Hospital Director, the workers have been told to report to work. Olaro says that he has personally spoken to the Minister of Health, Dr Ruhakana Rugunda, who has promised to address the matter before the end of day today.
However by the time of filing this report, the medical workers were still on strike.
In April and May, the medical workers laid down their tools to compel government to clear their salary arrears. The medical workers called off the strikes after Dr. Isaac Ezati, the Director for Planning at the Ministry of Health held a meeting with them and promised to ensure their salaries are cleared by June 14th but nothing was done.
Medical workers at Fort Portal Referral Hospital have again gone on a sit down strike, paralyzing work at the hospital.
This is the fourth time the medical workers have gone on strike to protest government’s failure to pay their salaries for three months.
A visit to the hospital by the Uganda Radio Network reporter on Monday saw patients, especially in the Out-Patients Department (OPD), in desperate need for help. Some of the patients were sleeping on the floor, waiting for treatment, but in vain. Some of the attendants have been forced to transfer the patients to other health facilities.
In the male and female wards, some of the patients were being attended to by intern doctors from Fort Portal Nursing School. The maternity ward, x-ray and pediatric ward have all been abandoned. Three expectant mothers were also denied entrance to the maternity ward by the striking staff. Their relatives were forced to transfer them to another health facility.
Patients were also stopped at the gate and denied entrance to the hospital, by the hospital security guards, who told them to return home, since there is no medical worker to attend to them. Some medical workers jeered at patients who pleaded for help.
David Mwesige, a patient from Kamwenge district, says that he was supposed to have a hernia operation on Monday morning. Mwesige says that he has no option but wait until the workers return for duty, since he has no money to go to a private health facility.
Charles Mali, the Chairperson of the Uganda Medical Workers Union Fort Portal branch, told Uganda Radio Network that last week they resolved to lay down their tools after failure to have their salaries paid by the third day of July.
According to Mali, the health workers demand salaries for April, May and June. He says that unlike in the past when they called off their strike after meetings with the hospital administration, this time they have vowed not to call it off until the money has been deposited on their bank accounts.
In a telephone interview, the acting Hospital director Oscar Kaliisa Kyebambe said they tried to convince the staff to continue with work until they are paid, but they failed to adhere.
According to Kaliisa, the hospital administration has left the matter to the Ministry of Health.
However in a statement released today by the Dr Charles Olaro, the Hospital Director, the workers have been told to report to work. Olaro says that he has personally spoken to the Minister of Health, Dr Ruhakana Rugunda, who has promised to address the matter before the end of day today.
However by the time of filing this report, the medical workers were still on strike.
In April and May, the medical workers laid down their tools to compel government to clear their salary arrears. The medical workers called off the strikes after Dr. Isaac Ezati, the Director for Planning at the Ministry of Health held a meeting with them and promised to ensure their salaries are cleared by June 14th but nothing was done.
Thursday, 4 July 2013
Sub Counties, Town Councils Disagree Over Local Revenue
http://ugandaradionetwork.com/a/story.php?s=54125
Sub Counties and town councils in Kabarole district are fighting over the control of local revenue.
Last week, during the district council session, a resolution was passed that the newly created town councils should share the local revenue with the respective sub counties. The new town councils are Rwimi, Kibiito and Karago. According to the council resolution, the town councils are supposed to receive 40% of the local revenue.
The councilors argue that since the town councils are new, they lack adequate funds for them to operate. However this didn’t go well with the sub county authorities, who say that the local revenue is inadequate and can’t be shared between two administrative units.
This has stalled implementation of some activities, since they lack funds.
In Rwimi town council, there isn’t any water source. Residents are forced to spend 300 shillings on a jerry can of water or walk long distances to fetch water. Bright Kamugasa, the LC3 Chairperson for Rwimi town council, says that although the local revenue is not enough, it can be used to construct at least four boreholes in the town council. Kamugasa says the nearest water sources from the town council are 5 kilometers away. Rwimi Sub County generates 400 million shillings in local revenue per month.
He says that since some of the markets are located in the town council, they should have a share of the revenue.
//Cue in: “The money isn’t enough…
Cue out: …not helping at all.”//
But Francis Mwesige, the LC3 chairperson for Kibiito Sub County, says they will not share the local revenue with the town council, because it has many activities to implement like construction of more markets, public toilets and bore holes.
However, some residents accuse the leaders of hurriedly advocating for creation of the town councils.
Harriet Kobwemi, a trader at Kibiito market, says that some of the residents weren’t consulted by the leaders on the creation of the town council. She says that some leaders wanted the town council created because they wanted to contest for elective posts.
Gerald Mugenyi, a resident of Rwimi town council says the government’s argument that the creation of new administrative units will bring services closer to the people is a hoax. Mugenyi says that since the creation of Kibiito town council, residents are still facing difficulties to access clean and safe water. According to Mugenyi, instead of creating more administrative units, the government should increase funding for social services.
//Cue in: “The creation’s a hoax…
Cue out: …dividing the districts.”//
In a telephone interview, Harriet Nanyonjo, the deputy Chief Administrative Officer Kabarole, says she will meet leaders of the town councils and sub county, to address the matter.
The district created new town councils of Rwimi, Karago and Kibiito in July 2009.
Sub Counties and town councils in Kabarole district are fighting over the control of local revenue.
Last week, during the district council session, a resolution was passed that the newly created town councils should share the local revenue with the respective sub counties. The new town councils are Rwimi, Kibiito and Karago. According to the council resolution, the town councils are supposed to receive 40% of the local revenue.
The councilors argue that since the town councils are new, they lack adequate funds for them to operate. However this didn’t go well with the sub county authorities, who say that the local revenue is inadequate and can’t be shared between two administrative units.
This has stalled implementation of some activities, since they lack funds.
In Rwimi town council, there isn’t any water source. Residents are forced to spend 300 shillings on a jerry can of water or walk long distances to fetch water. Bright Kamugasa, the LC3 Chairperson for Rwimi town council, says that although the local revenue is not enough, it can be used to construct at least four boreholes in the town council. Kamugasa says the nearest water sources from the town council are 5 kilometers away. Rwimi Sub County generates 400 million shillings in local revenue per month.
He says that since some of the markets are located in the town council, they should have a share of the revenue.
//Cue in: “The money isn’t enough…
Cue out: …not helping at all.”//
But Francis Mwesige, the LC3 chairperson for Kibiito Sub County, says they will not share the local revenue with the town council, because it has many activities to implement like construction of more markets, public toilets and bore holes.
However, some residents accuse the leaders of hurriedly advocating for creation of the town councils.
Harriet Kobwemi, a trader at Kibiito market, says that some of the residents weren’t consulted by the leaders on the creation of the town council. She says that some leaders wanted the town council created because they wanted to contest for elective posts.
Gerald Mugenyi, a resident of Rwimi town council says the government’s argument that the creation of new administrative units will bring services closer to the people is a hoax. Mugenyi says that since the creation of Kibiito town council, residents are still facing difficulties to access clean and safe water. According to Mugenyi, instead of creating more administrative units, the government should increase funding for social services.
//Cue in: “The creation’s a hoax…
Cue out: …dividing the districts.”//
In a telephone interview, Harriet Nanyonjo, the deputy Chief Administrative Officer Kabarole, says she will meet leaders of the town councils and sub county, to address the matter.
The district created new town councils of Rwimi, Karago and Kibiito in July 2009.
Tuesday, 2 July 2013
Poison Scare Forces NWSC To Disconnect Water In Kasese Town
http://ugandaradionetwork.com/a/story.php?s=54022
A poison scare has this morning forced the National Water and Sewerage Corporation (NWSC) to switch off water in Kasese Municipality.
The NWSC staff disconnected the water at 6:30am, after unknown people reportedly moved around the municipality telling people not to use what they called poison-laced water.
In a telephone interview, the NWSC area Manager for Kasese, Stanley Kamugisa, said samples of the water have been taken to NWSC laboratory in Kasese town for testing, which will last for three hours.
Michael Musani Sabila, the Kasese District Police Commander, told Uganda Radio Network that they received information from residents of Kidondo Suburb that unknown people were moving around the suburb telling the residents that water had been poisoned by ‘enemies’ of the Bakonzo community.
Sabila says that they didn’t want to take chances and requested NWSC to disconnect and test the water.
Before the water was disconnected, staff of NWSC went to all radio stations in Kasese municipality urging the residents not to use the water. The water was then disconnected.
The poison scare comes at a time heightened ethnic tensions between the Bakonzo and Bamba, after Rwenzururu King, Charles Wesley Mumbere, was blocked from traveling to Bundibugyo for the kingdom’s annual peace event.
On Saturday, the Inspector General of Police, General Kale Kayihura announced that government had stopped Mumbere from travelling to Bundibugyo, where the Bamba had accused him of trying to impose himself on them. Mumbere, a Mukonzo, accused government of using the police to promote the interests of the Bamba and Basongora, who oppose his kingdom.
In June last year, a similar visit resulted into ethnic clashes leaving at least 400 people displaced. A few days later, the Basongora installed their own cultural leader, Ivan Bwebale Rutakirwa, saying that they do not belong to the Rwenzururu Kingdom. Rutakirwa was set to celebrate his first coronation anniversary this week but the function was blocked by the police.
The Bamba are also in the process of installing Major Martin Kamya, a Ugandan army serving officer, as their cultural leader. Kamya, who has been attached to 3rd infantry Division of the UPDF, was early this year allowed to retire in order for him to be installed as Bamba cultural leader.
A poison scare has this morning forced the National Water and Sewerage Corporation (NWSC) to switch off water in Kasese Municipality.
The NWSC staff disconnected the water at 6:30am, after unknown people reportedly moved around the municipality telling people not to use what they called poison-laced water.
In a telephone interview, the NWSC area Manager for Kasese, Stanley Kamugisa, said samples of the water have been taken to NWSC laboratory in Kasese town for testing, which will last for three hours.
Michael Musani Sabila, the Kasese District Police Commander, told Uganda Radio Network that they received information from residents of Kidondo Suburb that unknown people were moving around the suburb telling the residents that water had been poisoned by ‘enemies’ of the Bakonzo community.
Sabila says that they didn’t want to take chances and requested NWSC to disconnect and test the water.
Before the water was disconnected, staff of NWSC went to all radio stations in Kasese municipality urging the residents not to use the water. The water was then disconnected.
The poison scare comes at a time heightened ethnic tensions between the Bakonzo and Bamba, after Rwenzururu King, Charles Wesley Mumbere, was blocked from traveling to Bundibugyo for the kingdom’s annual peace event.
On Saturday, the Inspector General of Police, General Kale Kayihura announced that government had stopped Mumbere from travelling to Bundibugyo, where the Bamba had accused him of trying to impose himself on them. Mumbere, a Mukonzo, accused government of using the police to promote the interests of the Bamba and Basongora, who oppose his kingdom.
In June last year, a similar visit resulted into ethnic clashes leaving at least 400 people displaced. A few days later, the Basongora installed their own cultural leader, Ivan Bwebale Rutakirwa, saying that they do not belong to the Rwenzururu Kingdom. Rutakirwa was set to celebrate his first coronation anniversary this week but the function was blocked by the police.
The Bamba are also in the process of installing Major Martin Kamya, a Ugandan army serving officer, as their cultural leader. Kamya, who has been attached to 3rd infantry Division of the UPDF, was early this year allowed to retire in order for him to be installed as Bamba cultural leader.
No Traces of Poison In Kasese Water
http://ugandaradionetwork.com/a/story.php?s=54047
Tests conducted on water in Kasese Municipality have found no traces of poison.
The National Water and Sewerage Corporation (NWSC) staff disconnected the water at 6:30am on Tuesday, after unknown people reportedly moved around the municipality telling locals not to use what they called poison-laced water.
The rumors originated from residents of Kidondo Suburb in Kasese Municipality, who said that unknown people were moving around the suburb telling the residents that water had been poisoned by ‘enemies’ of the Bakonzo community.
In a telephone interview with Uganda Radio Network, Stanley Kamugisa said that samples of the water was tested and found the water fit for consumption. The water in the town has now been reconnected.
Michael Musani Sabila, the Kasese District Police Commander, says that despite the false rumours, the police will take not any chances. He says that police has been deployed at the main water plant in Kasese town.
The poison scare came at a time of heightened ethnic tensions between the Bakonzo and Bamba, after Rwenzururu King, Charles Wesley Mumbere, was blocked from traveling to Bundibugyo for the kingdom’s annual peace event.
On Saturday, the Inspector General of Police, General Kale Kayihura announced that government had stopped Mumbere from travelling to Bundibugyo, where the Bamba had accused him of trying to impose himself on them. Mumbere, a Mukonzo, accused government of using the police to promote the interests of the Bamba and Basongora, who oppose his kingdom.
In June last year, a similar visit resulted into ethnic clashes leaving at least 400 people displaced. A few days later, the Basongora installed their own cultural leader, Ivan Bwebale Rutakirwa, saying that they do not belong to the Rwenzururu Kingdom. Rutakirwa was set to celebrate his first coronation anniversary this week but the function was blocked by the police.
The Bamba are also in the process of installing Major Martin Kamya, a Ugandan army serving officer, as their cultural leader. Kamya, who has been attached to 3rd infantry Division of the UPDF, was early this year allowed to retire in order for him to be installed as Bamba cultural leader.
Tests conducted on water in Kasese Municipality have found no traces of poison.
The National Water and Sewerage Corporation (NWSC) staff disconnected the water at 6:30am on Tuesday, after unknown people reportedly moved around the municipality telling locals not to use what they called poison-laced water.
The rumors originated from residents of Kidondo Suburb in Kasese Municipality, who said that unknown people were moving around the suburb telling the residents that water had been poisoned by ‘enemies’ of the Bakonzo community.
In a telephone interview with Uganda Radio Network, Stanley Kamugisa said that samples of the water was tested and found the water fit for consumption. The water in the town has now been reconnected.
Michael Musani Sabila, the Kasese District Police Commander, says that despite the false rumours, the police will take not any chances. He says that police has been deployed at the main water plant in Kasese town.
The poison scare came at a time of heightened ethnic tensions between the Bakonzo and Bamba, after Rwenzururu King, Charles Wesley Mumbere, was blocked from traveling to Bundibugyo for the kingdom’s annual peace event.
On Saturday, the Inspector General of Police, General Kale Kayihura announced that government had stopped Mumbere from travelling to Bundibugyo, where the Bamba had accused him of trying to impose himself on them. Mumbere, a Mukonzo, accused government of using the police to promote the interests of the Bamba and Basongora, who oppose his kingdom.
In June last year, a similar visit resulted into ethnic clashes leaving at least 400 people displaced. A few days later, the Basongora installed their own cultural leader, Ivan Bwebale Rutakirwa, saying that they do not belong to the Rwenzururu Kingdom. Rutakirwa was set to celebrate his first coronation anniversary this week but the function was blocked by the police.
The Bamba are also in the process of installing Major Martin Kamya, a Ugandan army serving officer, as their cultural leader. Kamya, who has been attached to 3rd infantry Division of the UPDF, was early this year allowed to retire in order for him to be installed as Bamba cultural leader.
Monday, 1 July 2013
Busongora Coronation Anniversary Celebrations Called Off
http://ugandaradionetwork.com/a/story.php?s=53996
Police have stopped the first coronation anniversary celebrations of Ivan Bwebale Rutakirwa, the Basongora cultural leader.
The celebrations were slated for this Monday at Muhokya. Rutakirwa was installed on July 1 last year as the Busongora Cultural leader. However this didn’t go down well with the Basongora, which led to clashes between the two ethnic groups. Bakonzo youths invaded Muhokya, the supposed seat of Busongora cultural leader, and took away the flag and royal drums among other items.
The anniversary celebrations were called off last night after a meeting in Kasese town between Rutakirwa and Gen. Kale Kayihura, the Inspector General of Police. In a telephone interview, Jimmy Kagoro Muzoora, the first deputy prime minister and Public Relations Officer of Busongora said Rutakirwa met with Kayihura to request him for police protection at the celebrations.
According to Muzoora, Kayihura rejected the request saying the coronation celebrations can’t take place because they could escalate the current tensions between the Bamba, Bakonzo and Basongora.
Tension has been high between the Bamba and Bakonzo since last week after Omusinga Charles Wesley Mumbere vowed to visit Bundibugyo district to celebrate the peace day celebrations. Mumbere was however blocked by the government for fear of a repeat of violence as was the case in July last year. According to Kagoro, Rutakirwa had vowed to proceed without security, but Kayihura warned them against going ahead with the celebrations. He said the Busongora cabinet later convened at the cultural leader’s palace at Muhokya and decided to call off the celebrations. He says that the celebrations will be held at another date after the situation in Kasese district has stabilized.
Since last week, there have been announcements on radio stations in Fort Portal urging the Basongora in Kabarole, Ntoroko and Kyejonjo districts to attend the celebrations. The King of Tooro, Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru had also been invited for the celebrations. This morning hundreds of Basongora Community who were travelling to the venue of the celebrations were blocked at Hima town council and stopped from proceeding to the venue. Gerald Kagenda, the Basongora representative in Hima town council, says they weren't aware that celebrations had been called off.
He says that they spent a lot of money to organize the event.
Police have stopped the first coronation anniversary celebrations of Ivan Bwebale Rutakirwa, the Basongora cultural leader.
The celebrations were slated for this Monday at Muhokya. Rutakirwa was installed on July 1 last year as the Busongora Cultural leader. However this didn’t go down well with the Basongora, which led to clashes between the two ethnic groups. Bakonzo youths invaded Muhokya, the supposed seat of Busongora cultural leader, and took away the flag and royal drums among other items.
The anniversary celebrations were called off last night after a meeting in Kasese town between Rutakirwa and Gen. Kale Kayihura, the Inspector General of Police. In a telephone interview, Jimmy Kagoro Muzoora, the first deputy prime minister and Public Relations Officer of Busongora said Rutakirwa met with Kayihura to request him for police protection at the celebrations.
According to Muzoora, Kayihura rejected the request saying the coronation celebrations can’t take place because they could escalate the current tensions between the Bamba, Bakonzo and Basongora.
Tension has been high between the Bamba and Bakonzo since last week after Omusinga Charles Wesley Mumbere vowed to visit Bundibugyo district to celebrate the peace day celebrations. Mumbere was however blocked by the government for fear of a repeat of violence as was the case in July last year. According to Kagoro, Rutakirwa had vowed to proceed without security, but Kayihura warned them against going ahead with the celebrations. He said the Busongora cabinet later convened at the cultural leader’s palace at Muhokya and decided to call off the celebrations. He says that the celebrations will be held at another date after the situation in Kasese district has stabilized.
Since last week, there have been announcements on radio stations in Fort Portal urging the Basongora in Kabarole, Ntoroko and Kyejonjo districts to attend the celebrations. The King of Tooro, Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru had also been invited for the celebrations. This morning hundreds of Basongora Community who were travelling to the venue of the celebrations were blocked at Hima town council and stopped from proceeding to the venue. Gerald Kagenda, the Basongora representative in Hima town council, says they weren't aware that celebrations had been called off.
He says that they spent a lot of money to organize the event.
Mumbere Free To visit Bundibugyo After Installation of Bamba Cultural Leader
http://ugandaradionetwork.com/a/story.php?s=53973
Fulgensio Bamwitirebye, the caretaker of Obudhingya Bwa Bwamba says Charles Wesley Mumbere, the King of Rwenzurur Kingdom is free to visit Bundibugyo district after they have installed their cultural leader. Tension has building in Kasese and Bundibugyo district since Friday last week. It started after Mumbere announced his plans to go ahead with his plans to celebrate the Peace days in Bundibugyo district despite protests from the Bamba.
Government halted the visit citing security concerns. Speaking to URN in Bundibugyo town on Monday, Fulgensio Bamwitirebye, the caretaker of Obudhingya Bwa Bwamba asked Mumbere and the Bakonzo community to respect the Bamba, since they are the majority in the district. Fulgensio claims that the Bakonzo were using the peace day celebrations as a plan to disorganize the preparations of installing the Bamba’s cultural leader.
According to Fulgensio, since the Bamba and Bakonzo walked out of the Tooro Kingdom parliament together, the peace day should be celebrated by both ethnic groups. He says that once the Bamba have installed their cultural leader, it will be his responsibility to invite Mumbere to the district.
//Cue in: “Mumbere is free to come only if…
Cue out: “…it’s not cultural.”//
The installation of the Bamba cultural leader has been postponed twice under unclear circumstances. However, Jeremiah Mutooro, the second deputy prime minister and leader of the Bakonzo community in Bundibugyo, says that the Bamba should respect Omusinga‘s visit, since he is visiting his subjects.
Mutooro says the Bakonzo have not forced the Bamba to pay allegiance to Mumbere and therefore he should be left to visit his subjects in different parts of the country. Mutooro said that they were organizing the celebrations peacefully and blamed the Bamba for spreading lies that the Bakonzo were planning to attack the Bamba for opposing Mumbere’s visit to the district.
//Cue in: “we were organizing peacefully…
Cue out: “…annoyed the community.”//
However, some residents in an interview with Uganda Radio Network say the tensions have divided the ethnic groups, which have lived together for a long time as brothers and sisters. Gertrude Kyomuhendo, a Mwamba and trader in Bundibugyo market says she is under pressure from her family and friends to separate from her husband who is a Mukonjo because of the tensions.
Kyomuhendo says there is need for reconciliation and counseling of both ethnic groups, or else the conflicts will not end and will lead to bloodshed. She wants politicians and the religious leaders to intervene. David Kule, a resident of Bundibugyo district blames government for the current tensions among the ethnic groups.
Kule says that there was no need for the government to deploy hundreds of police officers to block Mumbere from visiting his subjects. According to Kule, the actions of the government are an indication that it is marginalizing the Bakonzo and siding with the Bamba.
//Cue in: “the Bakonzo community…
Cue out: “…are peaceful.”//
Fulgensio Bamwitirebye, the caretaker of Obudhingya Bwa Bwamba says Charles Wesley Mumbere, the King of Rwenzurur Kingdom is free to visit Bundibugyo district after they have installed their cultural leader. Tension has building in Kasese and Bundibugyo district since Friday last week. It started after Mumbere announced his plans to go ahead with his plans to celebrate the Peace days in Bundibugyo district despite protests from the Bamba.
Government halted the visit citing security concerns. Speaking to URN in Bundibugyo town on Monday, Fulgensio Bamwitirebye, the caretaker of Obudhingya Bwa Bwamba asked Mumbere and the Bakonzo community to respect the Bamba, since they are the majority in the district. Fulgensio claims that the Bakonzo were using the peace day celebrations as a plan to disorganize the preparations of installing the Bamba’s cultural leader.
According to Fulgensio, since the Bamba and Bakonzo walked out of the Tooro Kingdom parliament together, the peace day should be celebrated by both ethnic groups. He says that once the Bamba have installed their cultural leader, it will be his responsibility to invite Mumbere to the district.
//Cue in: “Mumbere is free to come only if…
Cue out: “…it’s not cultural.”//
The installation of the Bamba cultural leader has been postponed twice under unclear circumstances. However, Jeremiah Mutooro, the second deputy prime minister and leader of the Bakonzo community in Bundibugyo, says that the Bamba should respect Omusinga‘s visit, since he is visiting his subjects.
Mutooro says the Bakonzo have not forced the Bamba to pay allegiance to Mumbere and therefore he should be left to visit his subjects in different parts of the country. Mutooro said that they were organizing the celebrations peacefully and blamed the Bamba for spreading lies that the Bakonzo were planning to attack the Bamba for opposing Mumbere’s visit to the district.
//Cue in: “we were organizing peacefully…
Cue out: “…annoyed the community.”//
However, some residents in an interview with Uganda Radio Network say the tensions have divided the ethnic groups, which have lived together for a long time as brothers and sisters. Gertrude Kyomuhendo, a Mwamba and trader in Bundibugyo market says she is under pressure from her family and friends to separate from her husband who is a Mukonjo because of the tensions.
Kyomuhendo says there is need for reconciliation and counseling of both ethnic groups, or else the conflicts will not end and will lead to bloodshed. She wants politicians and the religious leaders to intervene. David Kule, a resident of Bundibugyo district blames government for the current tensions among the ethnic groups.
Kule says that there was no need for the government to deploy hundreds of police officers to block Mumbere from visiting his subjects. According to Kule, the actions of the government are an indication that it is marginalizing the Bakonzo and siding with the Bamba.
//Cue in: “the Bakonzo community…
Cue out: “…are peaceful.”//
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