Museveni remain unapologetic over Kasese killings during his visit to the district
By Bikeke Saimon
KASESE: A cross section of the people in Kasese expressed disappointment with the failure by President Museveni to talk about the fate of the incarcerated Rwenzururu King Wesley Charles Mumbere and other Kingdom loyalists who are still in detention following the 2016 November attacks.
King Mumbere and 193 of his loyalists were arrested during the Rwenzururu palace attack by security forces in Kasese town left hundreds dead.
Some people expected Mr. Museveni to condole with the families that lost their relatives during the offensive attacks by government against the Obusinga installation.
There were also hopes among the residents for Museveni to talk about a possible pardoning of the jailed Rwenzururu king and his subjects who are capital offenses ranging from terrorism, murder and aggravated robbery but also offering support to the orphans and widows in this area.
Jones Kathungu is one of the widows now taking care of about eight orphans after their father perished in the fight.
She says the parenting responsibility has not been easy following the death of the husband who was a bread earner to the family. She says she expected president Museveni to talk about their fate as widows and possible support from government.
Her experience is shared by many others whose bread winners perished in the conflicts and are thus meeting hardships bringing up the children in a decent life.
Acting Kingdom Prime Minister Gadi Mbayahi, said just like many other people, the kingdom was expecting a word of sympathy from the president to the families that lost their relatives and those still incarcerated.
Mbayahi says many families are now helpless following the death and arrest of the breadwinners. He says the best gift the president could have given to the people of Rwenzori was to exercise his prerogative of mercy and pardon them.
Mbayahi says Bakonzo are a generous people and such kind of generosity is expected to also be extended to them in times of need.
“We are generous people, unfortunately, many people abuse our generosity.” He said
He, however, said the politics in the region is the cause to conflicts urging the churches to play a neutral role whenever contentious political matters arise.
President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni had come in the district on invitation by the Seventh Day Adventist Bishop of Rwenzori Field, Ezekiel Muthwanga to officiate over a donor’s conference to solicit 600 million for roofing of their church Kasese Better Living Centre.
In his speech, Museveni advised the people in the area to observe and maintain peace and respect for one another.
Picking a word from the bible, the president said God created man in his image therefore need for coexistence adding that hatred is evil in relation to the purpose of man’s creation.
He challenged the gathering to fight poverty through operation wealth creation.
He added that the economy in the region can thrive on four pillars, Agriculture, Industrialization, services and ICT.
Museveni gave 30million Shillings and pledged another 170million towards the roofing of the Church, plus vehicles to the six bishops of the SDA Church in Uganda.
Meanwhile, the area Mp for Kasese Municipality Hon. Robert Centenary reminded the President on a number pledges that are not yet fulfilled including the alleviation of Kasese airfield into an international airport.
He also asked him to influence and expedite the process for fair hearing of the Rwenzururu King and the co accused such that the case is rested.
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