Kasese village leaders to mobilize funds for Mumbere’s homecoming

Kasese, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Local council chairpersons in Kasese District have been tasked to mobilise resources for the homecoming of the Rwenzururu Cultural Leader Omusinga Charles Wisely Mumbere.

After nearly seven years away from his kingdom, Mumbere is expected to return on October 4, 2023. Mumbere was barred from visiting the area in 2016, when he, alongside over 200 Kingdom subjects, was arrested and charged with treason, terrorism, malicious damage to property, attempted murder, and aggravated robbery, among others.

The group had specifically been implicated in the double murder of two Police Constables Saverio Ochema and Simon Peter Apille on September 14, 2016, and accused of attempting to murder Detective Police Constables Polycarp Ojoko, Benon Byaki, Francisco Nsimaki, and Assistant Inspector of Police Denis Ahebwa.

According to the State, Mumbere and his subjects were suspected of having murdered a Police Constable Godfrey Kasimba on March 24, 2016, who was formally attached to the defunct Field Force Unit and attacking several police establishments, and property at Bukara and Nyabutsi villages in July and November 2016.

But the charges were dropped in June this year, giving the Rwenzururu King total freedom to return to the land of his ancestors. It’s on this basis that his people are organising a homecoming befitting of a King.

The homecoming organizing committee and the three pillars of the Kingdom which include the Royal family, Kingdom Veterans, and Chieftains have set out a budget of 9 billion Shillings for this event.

Out of the 9 billion Shillings, at least 4.6 billion will be allocated to Royal Springs International Hotel formally owned by the late Gen. James Kazini where the main event will be hosted. An initial deposit of about three billion Shillings is expected to be deposited by the end of this month.

Dr Nathaniel Mumbere Walemba, the head of the organising committee told URN that they initiated a mobilization campaign encouraging each individual to contribute 10,000 Shillings or more towards the cause.

He adds that the Commitee will issue computerized receipt books with seals to Local Council leaders to ease accountability during this drive. He is optimistic that local council chairpersons will make significant contributions towards raising the required money by mobilising the people in their jurisdictions to give generously.

“We are asking all local council chairpersons to help us get resources but this should only be done by those with receipts,” Walemba added.

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