RWENZURURU DECLARES BUSONGORA KINGDOM NULL AND VOID.

RWENZURURU DECLARES BUSONGORA KINGDOM NULL AND VOID.
By Thembo Kahungu Misairi in Kasese July 3.
The Rwenzururu Kingdom has on Tuesday July 3 declared null and void the establishment of Busongora Heritage Kingdom and the coronation of King Rwigi IV Kabumba Rutakirwa Ivan Bwebale.
Rutakirwa Ivan Bwebale was crowned King of the Basongora and other minority ethnics in Kasese district at his home in Muhokya sub-county on Sunday July 1, a day after Rwenzururu King Charles Wesley Mumbere and subjects celebrated 50 years of existence.
In a press statement signed by the Acting Prime Minister of the Rwenzururu Kingdom Ms. Loice Biira Bwambale, the cabinet sitting on Tuesday resolved not to recognize the Busongora Heritage Kingdom.
The statement of which Daily Monitor has a copy indicates that the Rwenzururu Kingdom has learnt that a so-called King of the Basongora has been installed and the cabinet has come up with a number of resolutions as directed by King Charles Wesley Mumbere.
It was resolved that there cannot be a Kingdom within another Kingdom.

“We cannot have a Kingdom within our Kingdom.  Obusinga Bwa Rwenzururu does not recognise the so-called King of the Basongora, and therefore declares that his coronation that was conducted last Sunday is Null and Void.” The statement reads in part.

The Prime Minister also directed that the Rwenzururu Anthem and flag that were allegedly banned in the area covered by Busongora Kingdom must continue being used as they are recognized symbols of the Kingdom.
Ms. Bwambale in her statement also warns all ethnic groups in the Rwenzururu Kingdom against disrespecting the Omusinga (King), structures and symbols of the monarchy to avoid further provocation.
It was also resolved that the claim of 20 sub-counties by the “so-called” Busongora Kingdom as reported in the press is redundant and laughable because there are no sub-county and district resolutions to back the claim.
The Rwenzururu Kingdom cabinet also asked the central government to come clear on the installation of the Rutakirwa Ivan Bwebale as King of Basongora.
Meanwhile, contrary to what some of the Banyarwenzururu (subjects) were expecting to be an order for violent attacks on the Basongora, the Prime Minister who called for calmness is calling a series of meetings to discuss the matter.
According to her statement, from July 6 to 13, 2012, meetings involving clan leaders, chieftains, Rwenzururu veterans (freedom fighters), youths and scouts, and the Kingdom parliament will be held to assess further the matter.
However, the information minister of the Busongora Kingdom Mr. James Kainamura said he was not in position to comment on the matter adding that he will first consult the higher authority.
Mr. Kainamura said that he has personally been intimidated verbally by sections of the Bakonzo who say “there will be no Kingdom for the Basongora in the district.
Meanwhile, the family of the late Princes Kogere of Katwe-Kabatoro town council has also said they will not recognize the King of the Basongora claiming that Busongora Kingdom is under the leadership of the Babiito clam.
Speaking to Daily Monitor on phone on Tuesday the Babiito clan mobilizer Mr. Yahaya Kyomya Atooki said that “we oppose what happened (coronation) on Sunday because it was done illegally without our consent”.
“We are the royal family that is supposed to rule Busongora Kingdom because of our lineage following the death of Princess Kogere”. Mr. Kyomya said.
He said that the Babiito family has their King in waiting called Bwatali son to Nyabongo the late Princess Kogere’s brother and has his regalia at Nyakatonzi village in Nyakatonzi sub-county.
END.