Omusinga Mumbere’s Cabinet Shake-Up: What You Need to Know
The leader of the Rwenzururu Cultural Institution, Omusinga Charles Wesley Mumbere Iremangoma, has made some changes in his cabinet. These changes mean that nine ministers have been replaced with new ones.
Benson Kule Baritazale is now the Deputy Prime Minister, taking over from Edwin Bayiringa Kugonza, who had been in the position for six months. Additionally, Deputy Attorney General David Bwamable has been replaced by Herbert Bagheni.
John Thawite and Joel Kaguta have also been substituted. Geoffrey Kanyonyi and Babra Ndahura are now the Kingdom’s information and public relations officers respectively.
This reshuffle comes shortly after Mumbere was allowed to return to his Kingdom, following a military operation on his palace in 2016.
In his speech, Omusinga Mumbere praised President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni for bringing peace and stability to the Rwenzori sub-region. He urged the new cabinet to work closely with the Central Government to uphold the existing peace for the region’s socio-economic development.
The Prime Minister, Rt. Hon. Joseph Kule Muranga, assured his loyalty to the King, the Royal family, and the institution’s Constitution. He emphasized the importance of preserving and promoting the culture of the Bakhonzo people.
Rwenzururu is a kingdom located in western Uganda, at the foot hills of the Rwenzori Mountains along the border with the Democratic Republic of the Congo. It encompasses the districts of Bundibugyo, Kasese, and Ntoroko. The term “Rwenzururu” is not only used to refer to the kingdom itself but also to the region where the kingdom is situated.
The kingdom’s history traces back to its first Omusinga (king), Isaya Mukirania (Kibanzanga I), who declared independence from the Tooro Kingdom on 30 June 1962. Despite this declaration, the Ugandan government did not formally acknowledge the kingdom’s legitimacy until 17 March 2008. This delayed recognition marked a significant milestone for Rwenzururu’s autonomy and cultural heritage.
The Rwenzururu region is inhabited by the Konjo and Amba peoples.
