Uganda’s biggest kingdom, Buganda has warned about widespread cultural and civil disobedience this week.
The Katikirro (prime minster) Peter Mayiga says the central government should handle the situation in Kasese with care because it is like a volcano ready to erupt. Joint UPDF and police force on Sunday raided the Obusinga palace before arresting the controversial King.
The Rwenzururu accuse government of marginalization in extension of social services and failure to address the land question.
“The way the government handles the Omusinga will determine whether there will be a spillover of violence or not,” Katikirro Mayiga said on Monday in a show of solidarity with the Western Uganda based chiefdom.
“We (Buganda) advice the government to handle this matter very well and amicably.”
The Uganda Police Force confirmed that 46 royal guards were killed in an offensive at Obusinga Bwa Rwenzururu Palace in Kasese District.
The guards were killed in an exchange with UPDF soldiers according to Rwenzori East police spokesperson Mansur Suwed, who also said 139 royal guards were arrested and are being detained at Kasese Police Station.
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Brig Peter Elwelu, the UPDF 2nd Division Commander defended the army’s attack on the palace, saying King Mumbere had been given an ultimatum of two hours to disband and disarm all royal guards from the palace. He added that Mumbere was told to remain with only nine royal guards but he declined to adhere, forcing the army to launch an offensive on the palace.
Brig Elwelu described the actions of the royal guards as those of a terrorist group destabilising the region.
He said the operations in the district will continue and the camps belonging to the royal guards will be razed down.
