Almost a decade after the tragic 2016 massacre in Kasese carried out by the Ugandan Armed Forces, the people of the Rwenzururu Kingdom continue to bear emotional scars and experience haunting memories. This incident will remain deeply ingrained in the minds of those from that area and across Uganda as a whole.
On November 26, 2016, in Kasese, the administrative center of the Ugandan Kingdom of Rwenzururu, the Uganda Police Force conducted a raid on the kingdom’s government offices.
Eight royal guards of the Rwenzururu Kingdom were killed, and two others were taken into custody. The Ugandan government claimed that this raid was a reaction to militant assaults on police stations in the region two weeks prior, asserting that these attacks were carried out by the royal guards.
The violence escalated the following day when the UPDF, along with the Police, stormed the Rwenzururu royal palace. This attack followed the expiration of an ultimatum given to the kingdom by the Ugandan government. Violent confrontations broke out, resulting in the deaths of 87 royal guards and 16 policemen on the spot.
In the wake of these raids, Charles Wesley Mumbere, the Omusinga (king) of Rwenzururu, was arrested and faced charges of murder.
Official records indicate that 103 individuals lost their lives during these clashes, although Human Rights Watch reported the number to be over 156.
It is important to note that this ill-fated operation was led by Brigadier Peter Elwelu, who had been ordered by the Commander in Chief, General Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, to take forceful action against the palace should negotiations at that time fail.
According to reports, “At 11 am, President Yoweri Museveni issued an ultimatum to Charles Mumbere, the Omusinga of Rwenzururu, demanding the surrender of his guards and their weapons within two hours, warning of consequences if he failed to comply. Approximately at 1:01 pm, Ugandan security forces invaded the royal palace, leading to a violent exchange that resulted in the deaths of 87 royal guards and at least 16 policemen.”
Following the clashes, authorities detained and charged over 180 individuals. On November 30, 2016, Mumbere was arrested and faced murder charges, which were later expanded on December 13, 2016, to include terrorism, aggravated robbery, and attempted murder. On December 26, 2016, the Ugandan government announced that 167 Rwenzururian royal guards surrendered to security forces in exchange for amnesty, while many guards chose to go into hiding for their safety, with several fleeing to the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
By February 2019, 87 royal guards returned from exile and peacefully surrendered after discussions with the Busongora Development Forum, a local organization focused on community development.
However, many are still missing and are being actively pursued by security forces. According to research from this publication, some of the royal guards who have remained in hiding include Kakumirizi Ceaser, Masereka Dickson, Mumbere Jonas, Bwambale Aiden, and Thembo Juma, among others.
Their current status, including whether they are alive or deceased, is still uncertain today. Meanwhile, all charges against Mumbere and 200 other royal guards were dropped in June 2023 after the government decided to grant amnesty to those who acknowledged committing crimes and renounced their rebellious actions. Two individuals, Kitsumbire and Masereka Kamada, rejected the offer of amnesty and continue to be incarcerated.
General Peter Elwelu, who was central to this situation, notably advanced his military career with multiple promotions. He currently holds the position of Senior Presidential Advisor, but the Kasese massacre notably changed him, as he became a Born Again Christian. Speaking after being sworn in as the Member of Parliament for the Armed Forces, Elwelu showed no remorse for his actions. He in fact said that he helped to pacify the area and that is why there hasn’t been instability in the region ever again.
However for the victims of the massacre directly and indirectly, Elwelu is a name that they wjll forever loathe.
