One of Uganda’s most decorated army men and current minister for security Gen. Henry Tumukunde has spoken out on the conflict in the Rwenzori sub-region, saying all lives in the Rwenzururu kingdom matter, be it that of the Omusinga or his lowest subject.
The Uganda People’s Defense Forces on Sunday attacked the Buhikira royal palace before arresting Omusinga Charles Wesley Mumbere and 136 people suspected to be his royal guards. They also killed 46 others according to official police figures.
Gen. Tumukunde however blamed the Rwenzururu kingdom royal guards of attacking military installations killing and injuring several security personnel since 2014 but he responded to propaganda that security agencies had carried out extrajudicial killings in Kasese by listing the different aspects of government’s approach as they seek to return peace to the area after the deliberate approach of the militia.
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The battle-hardened former army officer, who on Saturday morning was speaking on Capital FM, also castigated King Wesley Mumbere’s approach to things and said the monarch was to blame for the crisis in the Rwenzori sub-region.
He said: ‘All lives matter, whether it is the Omusinga’s life, the royal guards’, the police officers’ or that of civilians. We are extremely sorry that there are so many misrepresentations on radio and television by enemies of the government.’
“I have been authorised by cabinet to go out and give our people assurances that the situation in the Rwenzori region is under control. It is being properly commanded by the army and Police. The situation in Kasese is under government control but security matters extend up to the Democratic Republic of Congo. There is an absolute connection between the Allied Defence Force (ADF) and those operating here in Kampala. The death of Maj. Mohammad Kiggundu also frames the mind of any security operatives.’
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Gen. Tumukunde also accused Mr. Mumbere of using his influence to foment unrest in the region.
‘I know it is very hard to negotiate with Mumbere because the last time I went to see him at Mweya about government position and was surrounded instead in a hotel by men in green uniforms until his brother Minister of State for Agriculture Christopher Kibanzanga told them off. They decided to recruit volunteers as a civic support system that eventually turned into a militia.’
‘We look forward; Uganda has to outlive yesterday.’
By Dixon Ampumuza Kagurusi
