Rwenzururu Kingdom Denounces Coordinated Attacks, Calls for Regional Calm Amid Security Crisis
KAMPALA – The cultural heart of the Rwenzori region finds itself at the center of a brewing storm as King Charles Wesley Mumbere has issued a forceful condemnation of the violent attacks that rocked western Uganda over the weekend, while simultaneously distancing his centuries-old institution from the bloodshed that left at least 19 dead and dozens in custody.
A Region on Edge: Coordinated Assaults Test Security Apparatus
The carefully orchestrated attacks unfolded with chilling precision on Saturday, sending shockwaves through communities accustomed to periodic unrest but unprepared for the scale and coordination of this latest violence. Machete-wielding assailants struck multiple targets simultaneously across three districts, testing the resolve of security forces and raising troubling questions about the perpetrators’ motives and capabilities.
In Kasese district, the central police station found itself under siege, while the Rughendabara police post faced a similar assault just kilometers away. Meanwhile, in neighboring Bundibugyo district, military detachments at Malindi and Kakuka became targets of opportunity for separate groups of attackers. The violence nearly spread to an educational institution when assailants attempted to breach Canon Apollo School in Fort Portal city, though security forces managed to prevent what could have been a catastrophic incident.
The aftermath revealed a grim tally: at least 19 fatalities and more than 40 suspects in custody, according to preliminary reports from security officials. The attacks represent the most significant security challenge in the region since the deadly clashes of 2016 that left dozens dead and strained relations between the kingdom and central government.
Royal Rebuke: Kingdom Rejects “False Narratives” and Misinformation
In a carefully worded statement delivered by the kingdom’s Prime Minister, Kule Benson Biritazale, King Mumbere expressed deep concern about what he characterized as “social media speculations falsely associating or linking these acts of criminality to the kingdom.” The monarch’s message struck a delicate balance—condemning the violence while protecting the institution’s reputation from what he views as unfair connections to the bloodshed.
“Such actions, whether motivated by history, prejudice or misinformation, only serve to mislead the public and divert attention from identifying the real culprits,” Mumbere asserted in the statement. The king’s words carried particular weight given the complex history between the cultural institution and national authorities, with tensions periodically flaring over questions of autonomy and regional governance.
The statement took an even stronger stance against those spreading what it called “unfounded narratives,” declaring that “anyone spreading such unfounded narratives should be treated with utmost scrutiny, as they contribute to the instability in the Rwenzori sub-region.” This represents a notable escalation in the kingdom’s public communications, reflecting the sensitivity of the moment and the potential for misinformation to exacerbate an already volatile situation.
Principles Over Politics: Kingdom Reaffirms Commitment to Peace
Beyond the immediate condemnation, the royal statement served to reaffirm the kingdom’s foundational principles, emphasizing its “steadfast commitment to peace, unity in diversity, reconciliation, socio-economic and cultural transformation and mindset change.” These values, the statement noted, “continue to guide the kingdom” through challenging times.
Observers of the region’s politics noted the strategic importance of this reaffirmation, coming as it does amid ongoing efforts to rebuild trust between various stakeholders in the Rwenzori area. The kingdom has positioned itself as a stabilizing force rather than a source of tension, though historical grievances occasionally complicate this narrative.
Mumbere expressed particular concern about “the acts of violence that were perpetrated by unknown assailants, which have caused death, fear and disruption within the Rwenzori region.” His acknowledgment of the human cost—the fear and disruption affecting ordinary citizens—spoke to the broader impact of such incidents beyond the immediate body count.
Security Response and Civilian Cooperation: A Delicate Balance
In a notable show of support for government efforts, the king extended “appreciation to the government and the security forces for the prompt and decisive response in restoring calm and order across the affected areas.” This endorsement carries significant weight in a region where trust between local communities and security apparatus has sometimes been strained.
The Omusinga, as the king is traditionally known, issued a direct appeal to residents of the Rwenzori region to “remain calm, united, vigilant and cooperative with security agencies during this period.” This call for cooperation while maintaining vigilance reflects the delicate balance communities must strike in the aftermath of such violence—supporting legitimate security operations while protecting against potential overreach.
Security analysts monitoring the situation note that the kingdom’s public stance could prove crucial in either calming or escalating tensions, depending on how various constituencies interpret and respond to the royal message. The statement’s careful wording suggests awareness of these multiple audiences—local communities, national authorities, and international observers all reading between the lines.
Educational Institutions Seek Protection in Aftermath
In a related development that underscores the widespread concern generated by the attacks, headteachers in Kabarole and Fort Portal have requested military deployment to secure educational facilities. During an urgent security meeting held at Kabarole district headquarters, educators asked government to deploy at least two soldiers at every school following the Saturday attacks.
This request highlights the psychological impact of the violence, particularly the attempted attack on Canon Apollo School in Fort Portal. The targeting of an educational institution represents an escalation in tactics that has clearly alarmed educators and parents alike, raising questions about the attackers’ strategy and selection of targets.
The coordinated nature of the assaults—striking police installations, military detachments, and attempting to hit a school—suggests either sophisticated planning or intelligence gathering by the perpetrators. Security forces now face the dual challenge of investigating the attacks while preventing copycat incidents or further violence.
Historical Context and Future Implications
The Rwenzori region has experienced periodic unrest for decades, with various groups articulating grievances related to marginalization, resource allocation, and cultural recognition. The Rwenzururu movement itself emerged in the 1960s as a force advocating for greater autonomy and recognition, though the contemporary kingdom has largely operated within Uganda’s constitutional framework since its official recognition in 2009.
This latest violence occurs against a backdrop of ongoing efforts to reconcile various interests in the region, with the kingdom positioning itself as a bridge between communities and the state. How effectively it can maintain this role in the current climate may depend on the identification of the attackers and their motivations—questions that remain unanswered as investigations continue.
For now, the kingdom’s unequivocal condemnation and call for calm represent the official stance, while security forces maintain heightened presence across the region. The coming days will test whether this approach can prevent further violence and begin the process of understanding what precisely triggered this latest outbreak of bloodshed in Uganda’s troubled western borderlands.
As the sun sets over the Mountains of the Moon, the people of Rwenzori find themselves once again balancing pride in their cultural heritage with concerns about their physical security—a tension that has defined the region for generations and shows little sign of abating despite the royal assurances and security deployments.
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