Ugandan king arrested amid ongoing violence

By Halima Athumani

KAMPALA, Uganda (AA) – Fifty-five people have been confirmed dead amid ongoing violence in the Kasese district of western Uganda on Sunday.

Police said they also detained the head of a local kingdom, accusing him of inciting violence.

Security forces spokesman Andrew Felix Kaweesi confirmed unrest took place in the Rwenzori region, over 340 kilometers (200 miles) from the national capital Kampala.

The army and police said they were attacked on Saturday by “royal guards” loyal to the Rwenzururu kingdom, who threw at least one improvised grenade.

Officers had been patrolling the streets around the offices of the Rwenzururu Prime Minister Johnson Thembo Kitsumbire.

Rwenzururu is the center of a movement seeking autonomy from Uganda. It has been the scene of previous clashes with the authorities and disputes between local groups.

According to Kaweesi, Saturday’s incident caused sporadic attacks throughout Kasese district. “By this morning we had lost 14 personnel killed by the attackers and 41 attackers were put out of action.”

He explained those behind the violence were championing reasons that appeared to be political. “The attackers go to a sub-county, establish a camp, put up a flag and say they have taken over that area.”

Rwenzururu is headed by King Charles Wesley Mumbere, who was recognized by Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni in October 2009.

In Uganda, individual kingdoms have monarchs and prime ministers who are allowed to operate under the central government.

Kaweesi also confirmed the detention of Mumbere. “We have arrested King Mumbere and he will be charged with inciting violence.”

The current violence started two weeks back when two police officers were hacked to death by unknown assailants prompting the security forces to increase their presence this week.