That the Rwenzururu Kingdom of western Uganda is on fire is not news.
The new development in the restive Rwenzori region is that Police have arrested the Prime Minister of the Rwenzururu Kingdom Johnson Thembo Kitsumbire following a weekend of violence in the flashpoint town of Kasese last month.
According to reports, currently detained at Kasese Police Station and being questioned over his role in the collection of signatures to petition the International Criminal Court (ICC).
Mr. Kitsumbire is the second in hierarchy in the Rwenzururu kingdom and is the current caretaker of the kingdom affairs.
Uganda Police spokesperson Andrew Felix Kaweesi on Thursday afternoon confirmed the arrest of Mr Kitsumbire but could not add more details by press time.
Following the massive killings at King Mumbere’s palace and his eventual arrest and charging in court, the Leader of Opposition in Parliament, Ms Winfred Kizza, called upon the international Criminal Court to investigate the matter.
In updating media about their intended petition to the ICC yesterday, Ms Kizza revealed that they were finalising with the writing and that since the ICC registrar is in the country, they will hand it to him for possible investigation.
After his arrest today, it is understood that Kitsumbire could be set to head to jail and join his king, Charles Wesley Mumbere who was yesterday (13 December) and 152 other subjects charged with terrorism, aggravated robbery and attempted murder during a court hearing in the eastern town of Jinja.
The 26 and 27 November violence was sparked when Royal Guards – volunteers who provide security to the king – allegedly attacked several police posts, killing officers. In response to the attacks, Ugandan authorities launched an offensive against Royal Guards and a raid on Mumbere’s palace, in which more than 80 people died.
The government accuses Mumbere, 61, of initiating, recruiting and training militias that are part of a secessionist movement to found the so-called Yiira, or Yira state – a movement that is facing the issue of land disputes.
King Mumbere, whose Royal Guards have been blamed for the recent spike in violence against security forces in the area, has denied he or his supporters have any links to the “secessionist group”, and denied any involvement in the violence.
