On October 19, the Rwenzururu cultural institution, the Obusinga Bwa Rwenzururu

(OBR), will be celebrating seven years since it was officially recognised by the
NRM government but 50 years since the Rwenzururu leader Charles Wesley Mumbere,
succeeded the first Rwenzururu leader, Isaya Mukirania Kibanzanga I. New Vision�s
John B. Thawite visited the Rwenzururu headquarters in Kasese town at the weekend
and writes that preparations for the occasion are in high gear, amidst increasing
security to ensure the day�s success and that some of the hands involved in the
preparations must abstain from sex

Security

Security has been stepped up in Kasese district as the Obusinga Bwa Rwenzururu
(OBR) nears the coronation anniversary for its leader, Charles Wesley Mumbere
Irema-Ngoma, on October 19.

The Rwenzori East regional spokesperson, Suwed Manshur, says the deployments are
meant to ensure peace during the coronation. �The deployments you are seeing are in
preparation and follow a letter from the Obusinga Bwa Rwenzururu (OBR) Prime
minister,� says Manshur. He adds: �And wherever the President is expected, such
deployments are normal. We urge residents to observe peace. If you are to be in a
peaceful environment, you need to be a crime preventer at your household and your
community.�

oses aluku the head of construction at the wenzururu alace says shs60m was budgeted
for the exercise
Moses Baluku, the head of construction at the Rwenzururu Palace says shs60m was
budgeted for the exercise

He says the forces that have been deployed will be working 24/7 and will work in
turns. �If you want to move in the night, do so with a reason to avoid getting into
conflict with the law,� Manshur warns. He clarified that the increased security was
not meant to frustrate the celebrations.

Mood at the palace

Meanwhile the palace, (ekikalhi), is a beehive of activities with the Rwenzururu

royalists participating in face-lifting the place. Activities include renovating
the grass-thatched ekyaghanda (parliament house), the erisingiiro (coronation) and
the regalia huts that are constructed between the king�s residence and the palace
main gate. When New Vision visited the palace at the weekend, the sweating and
dust-raising royalists were rehearsing music dance and drama with rhythmic drumming
that was accompanied with a traditional wooden xylophone, musical set locally known
as endaara.

Excitedly speaking amidst the sound of the drums and the xylophone, Edson Mbusa,
who had travelled from Kyamukube village in Kabarole district, urged all the other
Rwenzururu royalists to turn up in big numbers to enjoy the coronation.

�I am very happy that I am about to witness yet another coronation anniversary of

our king,� Mbusa said.

he roof of the newly renovated wenzururu parliament house ready for the ctober 19
coronation anniversary
The roof of the newly renovated Rwenzururu parliament house ready for the October
19 coronation anniversary
One of the excited people, Zakaliya Sundirya said the first Rwenzururu leader,
Isaya Mukirania, called for peaceful co-existence among the various ethnic groups
in the Rwenzori sub-region.

Isaya Mukirania (RIP) was the leader of the Rwenzururu Freedom Movement of self-
liberation in the 1960s that broke into a 20-year bloody conflict between the then
Toro kingdom.

Mukirania died on September 2, 1966 and was succeeded by his first son, Charles
Wesley Mumbere, the current leader of the Obusinga Bwa Rwenzururu (Rwenzururu
kingdom).

Other supporters at the palace were also cleaning the place that was also littered
with bits dry spear grass and pieces of reeds and bamboo to beat the coronation
deadline.

UWA contributes grass, bamboo

Asked about the source the building materials, the chairperson of the construction
committee, Moses Baluku, said the Uganda Wildlife Authority had allowed his team to
harvest the spear grass and the bamboo from Queen Elizabeth and Rwenzori Mountains
National Parks respectively.

�We have spent the last two weeks cutting the grass from Queen Elizabeth National
Park and the bamboo from th Rwenzori Mountains National Park. We are very grateful
to UWA,� Baluku says.

He also says his committee ferried the reeds all the way from Kabarole district
because the reeds are not in Kasese.

He, however, said cash contributions to construction budget, estimated at the

Shs60m, were not forthcoming because the incomes of the supporters were currently
low.

�I have a challenge feeding the workers here. The endless drought has affected the
incomes of our people who depend on crops like maize, cotton and beans,� Baluku
says.

wenzururu oyal uards ready for the coronation anniversary

Rwenzururu Royal Guards ready for the coronation anniversary

No Sex

Guarding the coronation hut known as erisingiiro, was a group of three elderly
men, who were ensuring the fire inside is constantly on and that people who �are
not clean� do not soil the �sacred� hut.

�For seven days before we come here, we are prohibited from having sex with our
wives and no woman is allowed into this hut,� said their leader, John Mukirania,
56.

The coronation hut is a two-in-one, with the inner section only accessed by the
king to undergo unknown rituals performed on him by a select group of elders,
including the king�s maternal uncle.

While this is going on, 13 Bakonzo clan leaders are quietly assembled in another
part of the coronation house.
As the king emerges from the inner section, a drum is sounded summoning the clan
heads to rise and bow as the king takes up his wound, axle-like wooden coronation
stool and signals them to take their seats.

The clan heads are then obliged to convey greetings from their respective clans and
also renew their allegiance to the king and the kingdom.

Behind the parameter wall is a barracks of royal guards and a kraal under
construction to keep the gifts of goats and cattle expected from the well-wishers.

�But you are not allowed to go there,� Moses Baluku says.

President Museveni invited

Briefing the media about the preparations, the kingdom spokesperson Clarence
Bwambale, says President Museveni is expected to grace the occasion as the chief
guest.

Bwambale also said national and international delegations, including a group of

Congolese, were invited.

�We are working with the relevant government organs to have our guest cleared,�
Bwambale says.

According to Bwambale, the entire function is expected to consume Shs650m.

wenzururu spokesperson larence wambale

Rwenzururu spokesperson, Clarence Bwambale

But what have the Obusinga achieved?

�Many things,� says Bwambale, citing the peace dialogue between the Rwenzururu
fighters and central government in 1982 and the government scholarship that
government granted Mumbere in 1984 to study in the USA.

�Recently, the NRM government recognised and restored our kingdom in 2009, which
past governments had banned,� Bwambale adds, saying the recognition had revived
confidence among the Bakonzo.

wenzururu leaders palace house in asese town repainted ahead of the coronation
anniversary
Rwenzururu leader's palace house in Kasese town repainted ahead of the coronation
anniversary

The list of achievements also includes a recently opened public library, an animal
farm, university � The Rwenzururu Heritage University.

He says, �We now have someone to rest on. He has united us,� admitting, however,
that self-sustainability is among the nagging challenges

Future plans

�We have a series of projects to implement in the next couple of years. These
include establishment of a radio and a TV station to generate income for the
kingdom to avoid depending on external support,� says Bwambale.

He salutes government for having secured land for the construction of a modern
palace that will overlook the Kilembe Golf Club and Kasese town centre.

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Home West No sex as Kasese prepares for Rwenzururu king coronation anniversary
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No sex as Kasese prepares for Rwenzururu king coronation anniversary
By John Thawite

Added 18th October 2016 02:45 PM

�For seven days before we come here, we are prohibited from having sex with our
wives and no woman is allowed into this hut,�

Adramagrouprehearsing 703x422
A drama group rehearsing ahead of the Rwenzururu coronation anniversary. Photos by
John Thawite

On October 19, the Rwenzururu cultural institution, the Obusinga Bwa Rwenzururu
(OBR), will be celebrating seven years since it was officially recognised by the
NRM government but 50 years since the Rwenzururu leader Charles Wesley Mumbere,
succeeded the first Rwenzururu leader, Isaya Mukirania Kibanzanga I. New Vision�s
John B. Thawite visited the Rwenzururu headquarters in Kasese town at the weekend
and writes that preparations for the occasion are in high gear, amidst increasing
security to ensure the day�s success and that some of the hands involved in the
preparations must abstain from sex

Security

Security has been stepped up in Kasese district as the Obusinga Bwa Rwenzururu
(OBR) nears the coronation anniversary for its leader, Charles Wesley Mumbere
Irema-Ngoma, on October 19.

The Rwenzori East regional spokesperson, Suwed Manshur, says the deployments are
meant to ensure peace during the coronation. �The deployments you are seeing are in
preparation and follow a letter from the Obusinga Bwa Rwenzururu (OBR) Prime
minister,� says Manshur. He adds: �And wherever the President is expected, such
deployments are normal. We urge residents to observe peace. If you are to be in a
peaceful environment, you need to be a crime preventer at your household and your
community.�

oses aluku the head of construction at the wenzururu alace says shs60m was budgeted
for the exercise
Moses Baluku, the head of construction at the Rwenzururu Palace says shs60m was
budgeted for the exercise
He says the forces that have been deployed will be working 24/7 and will work in
turns. �If you want to move in the night, do so with a reason to avoid getting into
conflict with the law,� Manshur warns. He clarified that the increased security was
not meant to frustrate the celebrations.

Mood at the palace

Meanwhile the palace, (ekikalhi), is a beehive of activities with the Rwenzururu

royalists participating in face-lifting the place. Activities include renovating
the grass-thatched ekyaghanda (parliament house), the erisingiiro (coronation) and
the regalia huts that are constructed between the king�s residence and the palace
main gate. When New Vision visited the palace at the weekend, the sweating and
dust-raising royalists were rehearsing music dance and drama with rhythmic drumming
that was accompanied with a traditional wooden xylophone, musical set locally known
as endaara.

Excitedly speaking amidst the sound of the drums and the xylophone, Edson Mbusa,
who had travelled from Kyamukube village in Kabarole district, urged all the other
Rwenzururu royalists to turn up in big numbers to enjoy the coronation.

�I am very happy that I am about to witness yet another coronation anniversary of

our king,� Mbusa said.

he roof of the newly renovated wenzururu parliament house ready for the ctober 19
coronation anniversary
The roof of the newly renovated Rwenzururu parliament house ready for the October
19 coronation anniversary

One of the excited people, Zakaliya Sundirya said the first Rwenzururu leader,
Isaya Mukirania, called for peaceful co-existence among the various ethnic groups
in the Rwenzori sub-region.

Isaya Mukirania (RIP) was the leader of the Rwenzururu Freedom Movement of self-
liberation in the 1960s that broke into a 20-year bloody conflict between the then
Toro kingdom.

Mukirania died on September 2, 1966 and was succeeded by his first son, Charles
Wesley Mumbere, the current leader of the Obusinga Bwa Rwenzururu (Rwenzururu
kingdom).

Other supporters at the palace were also cleaning the place that was also littered
with bits dry spear grass and pieces of reeds and bamboo to beat the coronation
deadline.

UWA contributes grass, bamboo

Asked about the source the building materials, the chairperson of the construction
committee, Moses Baluku, said the Uganda Wildlife Authority had allowed his team to
harvest the spear grass and the bamboo from Queen Elizabeth and Rwenzori Mountains
National Parks respectively.

�We have spent the last two weeks cutting the grass from Queen Elizabeth National
Park and the bamboo from th Rwenzori Mountains National Park. We are very grateful
to UWA,� Baluku says.

He also says his committee ferried the reeds all the way from Kabarole district
because the reeds are not in Kasese.

He, however, said cash contributions to construction budget, estimated at the

Shs60m, were not forthcoming because the incomes of the supporters were currently
low.

�I have a challenge feeding the workers here. The endless drought has affected the
incomes of our people who depend on crops like maize, cotton and beans,� Baluku
says.

wenzururu oyal uards ready for the coronation anniversary

Rwenzururu Royal Guards ready for the coronation anniversary

No Sex

Guarding the coronation hut known as erisingiiro, was a group of three elderly
men, who were ensuring the fire inside is constantly on and that people who �are
not clean� do not soil the �sacred� hut.

�For seven days before we come here, we are prohibited from having sex with our
wives and no woman is allowed into this hut,� said their leader, John Mukirania,
56.

The coronation hut is a two-in-one, with the inner section only accessed by the
king to undergo unknown rituals performed on him by a select group of elders,
including the king�s maternal uncle.

While this is going on, 13 Bakonzo clan leaders are quietly assembled in another
part of the coronation house.

As the king emerges from the inner section, a drum is sounded summoning the clan
heads to rise and bow as the king takes up his wound, axle-like wooden coronation
stool and signals them to take their seats.

The clan heads are then obliged to convey greetings from their respective clans and
also renew their allegiance to the king and the kingdom.

Behind the parameter wall is a barracks of royal guards and a kraal under
construction to keep the gifts of goats and cattle expected from the well-wishers.

�But you are not allowed to go there,� Moses Baluku says.

President Museveni invited

Briefing the media about the preparations, the kingdom spokesperson Clarence
Bwambale, says President Museveni is expected to grace the occasion as the chief
guest.

Bwambale also said national and international delegations, including a group of

Congolese, were invited.

�We are working with the relevant government organs to have our guest cleared,�
Bwambale says.

According to Bwambale, the entire function is expected to consume Shs650m.

wenzururu spokesperson larence wambale

Rwenzururu spokesperson, Clarence Bwambale
But what have the Obusinga achieved?

�Many things,� says Bwambale, citing the peace dialogue between the Rwenzururu
fighters and central government in 1982 and the government scholarship that
government granted Mumbere in 1984 to study in the USA.

�Recently, the NRM government recognised and restored our kingdom in 2009, which
past governments had banned,� Bwambale adds, saying the recognition had revived
confidence among the Bakonzo.

wenzururu leaders palace house in asese town repainted ahead of the coronation
anniversary
Rwenzururu leader's palace house in Kasese town repainted ahead of the coronation
anniversary

The list of achievements also includes a recently opened public library, an animal
farm, university � The Rwenzururu Heritage University.

He says, �We now have someone to rest on. He has united us,� admitting, however,
that self-sustainability is among the nagging challenges

Future plans

�We have a series of projects to implement in the next couple of years. These
include establishment of a radio and a TV station to generate income for the
kingdom to avoid depending on external support,� says Bwambale.

He salutes government for having secured land for the construction of a modern
palace that will overlook the Kilembe Golf Club and Kasese town centre.

25 Google +3 4 0
Print AAA
Fill in your Name and Email Address to receive a Free Newsletter

Name

Email Address
TAGS: WEST NO SEX AS KASESE PREPARES FOR RWENZURURU KING CORONATION ANNIVERSARY
Related articles
One dead, 10 injured after car plunges into river
Familaccident 200x128
Kasese accident claims three family members
Kasesebweradpcvincentmwesigyepixbyjohnthawite2 200x128
Police recover $8,000 from robbers

Most ReadMost Commented

EC officials detained over Jinja polls released
15 Apr 2018

Trump, allies praise Syria strikes as Moscow seethes

15 Apr 2018

N. Korea's Kim calls for stronger ties with China

15 Apr 2018
Arrest in India rape case as outrage mounts over assaults
15 Apr 2018

New Zealand stun Fiji to seal Commonwealth rugby double

15 Apr 2018

TODAY'S PAPER
(Click to Buy and Read Online) image-1

News
Business
Education
Sports
Life and style
Magazines
Jobs
Opportunities
Opinions
Epaper
Stream
Special Editions
LIVE UPDATE
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� 2018 - New Vision. All Rights Reserved..

ShareThis Copy and PasteLive help is offline... TOP Content Rights and
PermissionRSSAdvertiseSubscribeFeedbackArchiveAbout UsBook Advert Sunday,April
15,2018 13:47 PM Home West No sex as Kasese prepares for Rwenzururu king coronation
anniversary Kabarole medics arrested over embezzlement... Previous Story Kabale
University student accuses RDC of... Next Story No sex as Kasese prepares for
Rwenzururu king coronation anniversary By John Thawite Added 18th October 2016
02:45 PM �For seven days before we come here, we are prohibited from having sex
with our wives and no woman is allowed into this hut,� A drama group rehearsing
ahead of the Rwenzururu coronation anniversary. Photos by John Thawite On October
19, the Rwenzururu cultural institution, the Obusinga Bwa Rwenzururu (OBR), will be
celebrating seven years since it was officially recognised by the NRM government
but 50 years since the Rwenzururu leader Charles Wesley Mumbere, succeeded the
first Rwenzururu leader, Isaya Mukirania Kibanzanga I. New Vision�s John B. Thawite
visited the Rwenzururu headquarters in Kasese town at the weekend and writes that
preparations for the occasion are in high gear, amidst increasing security to
ensure the day�s success and that some of the hands involved in the preparations
must abstain from sex Security Security has been stepped up in Kasese district as
the Obusinga Bwa Rwenzururu (OBR) nears the coronation anniversary for its leader,
Charles Wesley Mumbere Irema-Ngoma, on October 19. The Rwenzori East regional
spokesperson, Suwed Manshur, says the deployments are meant to ensure peace during
the coronation. �The deployments you are seeing are in preparation and follow a
letter from the Obusinga Bwa Rwenzururu (OBR) Prime minister,� says Manshur. He
adds: �And wherever the President is expected, such deployments are normal. We urge
residents to observe peace. If you are to be in a peaceful environment, you need to
be a crime preventer at your household and your community.� Moses Baluku, the head
of construction at the Rwenzururu Palace says shs60m was budgeted for the exercise
He says the forces that have been deployed will be working 24/7 and will work in
turns. �If you want to move in the night, do so with a reason to avoid getting into
conflict with the law,� Manshur warns. He clarified that the increased security was
not meant to frustrate the celebrations. Mood at the palace Meanwhile the palace,
(ekikalhi), is a beehive of activities with the Rwenzururu royalists participating
in face-lifting the place. Activities include renovating the grass-thatched
ekyaghanda (parliament house), the erisingiiro (coronation) and the regalia huts
that are constructed between the king�s residence and the palace main gate. When
New Vision visited the palace at the weekend, the sweating and dust-raising
royalists were rehearsing music dance and drama with rhythmic drumming that was
accompanied with a traditional wooden xylophone, musical set locally known as
endaara. Excitedly speaking amidst the sound of the drums and the xylophone, Edson
Mbusa, who had travelled from Kyamukube village in Kabarole district, urged all the
other Rwenzururu royalists to turn up in big numbers to enjoy the coronation. �I
am very happy that I am about to witness yet another coronation anniversary of our
king,� Mbusa said. The roof of the newly renovated Rwenzururu parliament house
ready for the October 19 coronation anniversary One of the excited people,
Zakaliya Sundirya said the first Rwenzururu leader, Isaya Mukirania, called for
peaceful co-existence among the various ethnic groups in the Rwenzori sub-region.
Isaya Mukirania (RIP) was the leader of the Rwenzururu Freedom Movement of self-
liberation in the 1960s that broke into a 20-year bloody conflict between the then
Toro kingdom. Mukirania died on September 2, 1966 and was succeeded by his first
son, Charles Wesley Mumbere, the current leader of the Obusinga Bwa Rwenzururu
(Rwenzururu kingdom). Other supporters at the palace were also cleaning the place
that was also littered with bits dry spear grass and pieces of reeds and bamboo to
beat the coronation deadline. UWA contributes grass, bamboo Asked about the source
the building materials, the chairperson of the construction committee, Moses
Baluku, said the Uganda Wildlife Authority had allowed his team to harvest the
spear grass and the bamboo from Queen Elizabeth and Rwenzori Mountains National
Parks respectively. �We have spent the last two weeks cutting the grass from Queen
Elizabeth National Park and the bamboo from th Rwenzori Mountains National Park. We
are very grateful to UWA,� Baluku says. He also says his committee ferried the
reeds all the way from Kabarole district because the reeds are not in Kasese. He,
however, said cash contributions to construction budget, estimated at the Shs60m,
were not forthcoming because the incomes of the supporters were currently low. �I
have a challenge feeding the workers here. The endless drought has affected the
incomes of our people who depend on crops like maize, cotton and beans,� Baluku
says. Rwenzururu Royal Guards ready for the coronation anniversary No Sex
Guarding the coronation hut known as erisingiiro, was a group of three elderly
men, who were ensuring the fire inside is constantly on and that people who �are
not clean� do not soil the �sacred� hut. �For seven days before we come here, we
are prohibited from having sex with our wives and no woman is allowed into this
hut,� said their leader, John Mukirania, 56. The coronation hut is a two-in-one,
with the inner section only accessed by the king to undergo unknown rituals
performed on him by a select group of elders, including the king�s maternal uncle.
While this is going on, 13 Bakonzo clan leaders are quietly assembled in another
part of the coronation house. As the king emerges from the inner section, a drum
is sounded summoning the clan heads to rise and bow as the king takes up his wound,
axle-like wooden coronation stool and signals them to take their seats. The clan
heads are then obliged to convey greetings from their respective clans and also
renew their allegiance to the king and the kingdom. Behind the parameter wall is a
barracks of royal guards and a kraal under construction to keep the gifts of goats
and cattle expected from the well-wishers. �But you are not allowed to go there,�
Moses Baluku says. President Museveni invited Briefing the media about the
preparations, the kingdom spokesperson Clarence Bwambale, says President Museveni
is expected to grace the occasion as the chief guest. Bwambale also said national
and international delegations, including a group of Congolese, were invited. �We
are working with the relevant government organs to have our guest cleared,�
Bwambale says. According to Bwambale, the entire function is expected to consume
Shs650m. Rwenzururu spokesperson, Clarence Bwambale But what have the Obusinga
achieved? �Many things,� says Bwambale, citing the peace dialogue between the
Rwenzururu fighters and central government in 1982 and the government scholarship
that government granted Mumbere in 1984 to study in the USA. �Recently, the NRM
government recognised and restored our kingdom in 2009, which past governments had
banned,� Bwambale adds, saying the recognition had revived confidence among the
Bakonzo. Rwenzururu leader's palace house in Kasese town repainted ahead of the
coronation anniversary The list of achievements also includes a recently opened
public library, an animal farm, university � The Rwenzururu Heritage University.
He says, �We now have someone to rest on. He has united us,� admitting, however,
that self-sustainability is among the nagging challenges Future plans �We have a
series of projects to implement in the next couple of years. These include
establishment of a radio and a TV station to generate income for the kingdom to
avoid depending on external support,� says Bwambale. He salutes government for
having secured land for the construction of a modern palace that will overlook the
Kilembe Golf Club and Kasese town centre. 25 Google +3 4 0 Print AAA Fill in
your Name and Email Address to receive a Free Newsletter TAGS: WEST NO SEX AS
KASESE PREPARES FOR RWENZURURU KING CORONATION ANNIVERSARY Related articles One
dead, 10 injured after car plunges into river Kasese accident claims three family
members Police recover $8,000 from robbers Most ReadMost Commented EC officials
detained over Jinja polls released 15 Apr 2018 Trump, allies praise Syria strikes
as Moscow seethes 15 Apr 2018 N. Korea's Kim calls for stronger ties with China 15
Apr 2018 Arrest in India rape case as outrage mounts over assaults 15 Apr 2018 New
Zealand stun Fiji to seal Commonwealth rugby double 15 Apr 2018 TODAY'S PAPER
(Click to Buy and Read Online) News Business Education Sports Life and style
Magazines Jobs Opportunities Opinions Epaper Stream Special Editions LIVE UPDATE �
2018 - New Vision. All Rights Reserved.. Live help is offline... TOP Content Rights
and PermissionRSSAdvertiseSubscribeFeedbackArchiveAbout UsBook Advert Sunday,April
15,2018 13:47 PM Home West No sex as Kasese prepares for Rwenzururu king coronation
anniversary Kabarole medics arrested over embezzlement... Previous Story Kabale
University student accuses RDC of... Next Story No sex as Kasese prepares for
Rwenzururu king coronation anniversary By John Thawite Added 18th October 2016
02:45 PM �For seven days before we come here, we are prohibited from having sex
with our wives and no woman is allowed into this hut,� A drama group rehearsing
ahead of the Rwenzururu coronation anniversary. Photos by John Thawite On October
19, the Rwenzururu cultural institution, the Obusinga Bwa Rwenzururu (OBR), will be
celebrating seven years since it was officially recognised by the NRM government
but 50 years since the Rwenzururu leader
Charles Wesley Mumbere, succeeded the first Rwenzururu leader, Isaya Mukirania
Kibanzanga I. New Vision�s John B. Thawite visited the Rwenzururu headquarters in
Kasese town at the weekend and writes that preparations for the occasion are in
high gear, amidst increasing security to ensure the day�s success and that some of
the hands involved in the preparations must abstain from sex Security Security has
been stepped up in Kasese district as the Obusinga Bwa Rwenzururu (OBR) nears the
coronation anniversary for its leader, Charles Wesley Mumbere Irema-Ngoma, on
October 19. The Rwenzori East regional spokesperson, Suwed Manshur, says the
deployments are meant to ensure peace during the coronation. �The deployments you
are seeing are in preparation and follow a letter from the Obusinga Bwa Rwenzururu
(OBR) Prime minister,� says Manshur. He adds: �And wherever the President is
expected, such deployments are normal. We urge residents to observe peace. If you
are to be in a peaceful environment, you need to be a crime preventer at your
household and your community.� Moses Baluku, the head of construction at the
Rwenzururu Palace says shs60m was budgeted for the exercise He says the forces
that have been deployed will be working 24/7 and will work in turns. �If you want
to move in the night, do so with a reason to avoid getting into conflict with the
law,� Manshur warns. He clarified that the increased security was not meant to
frustrate the celebrations. Mood at the palace Meanwhile the palace, (ekikalhi), is
a beehive of activities with the Rwenzururu royalists participating in face-lifting
the place. Activities include renovating the grass-thatched ekyaghanda (parliament
house), the erisingiiro (coronation) and the regalia huts that are constructed
between the king�s residence and the palace main gate. When New Vision visited the
palace at the weekend, the sweating and dust-raising royalists were rehearsing
music dance and drama with rhythmic drumming that was accompanied with a
traditional wooden xylophone, musical set locally known as endaara. Excitedly
speaking amidst the sound of the drums and the xylophone, Edson Mbusa, who had
travelled from Kyamukube village in Kabarole district, urged all the other
Rwenzururu royalists to turn up in big numbers to enjoy the coronation. �I am very
happy that I am about to witness yet another coronation anniversary of our king,�
Mbusa said. The roof of the newly renovated Rwenzururu parliament house ready for
the October 19 coronation anniversary One of the excited people, Zakaliya
Sundirya said the first Rwenzururu leader, Isaya Mukirania, called for peaceful co-
existence among the various ethnic groups in the Rwenzori sub-region. Isaya
Mukirania (RIP) was the leader of the Rwenzururu Freedom Movement of self-
liberation in the 1960s that broke into a 20-year bloody conflict between the then
Toro kingdom. Mukirania died on September 2, 1966 and was succeeded by his first
son, Charles Wesley Mumbere, the current leader of the Obusinga Bwa Rwenzururu
(Rwenzururu kingdom). Other supporters at the palace were also cleaning the place
that was also littered with bits dry spear grass and pieces of reeds and bamboo to
beat the coronation deadline. UWA contributes grass, bamboo Asked about the source
the building materials, the chairperson of the construction committee, Moses
Baluku, said the Uganda Wildlife Authority had allowed his team to harvest the
spear grass and the bamboo from Queen Elizabeth and Rwenzori Mountains National
Parks respectively. �We have spent the last two weeks cutting the grass from Queen
Elizabeth National Park and the bamboo from th Rwenzori Mountains National Park. We
are very grateful to UWA,� Baluku says. He also says his committee ferried the
reeds all the way from Kabarole district because the reeds are not in Kasese. He,
however, said cash contributions to construction budget, estimated at the Shs60m,
were not forthcoming because the incomes of the supporters were currently low. �I
have a challenge feeding the workers here. The endless drought has affected the
incomes of our people who depend on crops like maize, cotton and beans,� Baluku
says. Rwenzururu Royal Guards ready for the coronation anniversary No Sex
Guarding the coronation hut known as erisingiiro, was a group of three elderly
men, who were ensuring the fire inside is constantly on and that people who �are
not clean� do not soil the �sacred� hut. �For seven days before we come here, we
are prohibited from having sex with our wives and no woman is allowed into this
hut,� said their leader, John Mukirania, 56. The coronation hut is a two-in-one,
with the inner section only accessed by the king to undergo unknown rituals
performed on him by a select group of elders, including the king�s maternal uncle.
While this is going on, 13 Bakonzo clan leaders are quietly assembled in another
part of the coronation house. As the king emerges from the inner section, a drum
is sounded summoning the clan heads to rise and bow as the king takes up his wound,
axle-like wooden coronation stool and signals them to take their seats. The clan
heads are then obliged to convey greetings from their respective clans and also
renew their allegiance to the king and the kingdom. Behind the parameter wall is a
barracks of royal guards and a kraal under construction to keep the gifts of goats
and cattle expected from the well-wishers. �But you are not allowed to go there,�
Moses Baluku says. President Museveni invited Briefing the media about the
preparations, the kingdom spokesperson Clarence Bwambale, says President Museveni
is expected to grace the occasion as the chief guest. Bwambale also said national
and international delegations, including a group of Congolese, were invited. �We
are working with the relevant government organs to have our guest cleared,�
Bwambale says. According to Bwambale, the entire function is expected to consume
Shs650m. Rwenzururu spokesperson, Clarence Bwambale But what have the Obusinga
achieved? �Many things,� says Bwambale, citing the peace dialogue between the
Rwenzururu fighters and central government in 1982 and the government scholarship
that government granted Mumbere in 1984 to study in the USA. �Recently, the NRM
government recognised and restored our kingdom in 2009, which past governments had
banned,� Bwambale adds, saying the recognition had revived confidence among the
Bakonzo. Rwenzururu leader's palace house in Kasese town repainted ahead of the
coronation anniversary The list of achievements also includes a recently opened
public library, an animal farm, university � The Rwenzururu Heritage University.
He says, �We now have someone to rest on. He has united us,� admitting, however,
that self-sustainability is among the nagging challenges Future plans �We have a
series of projects to implement in the next couple of years. These include
establishment of a radio and a TV station to generate income for the kingdom to
avoid depending on external support,� says Bwambale. He salutes government for
having secured land for the construction of a modern palace that will overlook the
Kilembe Golf Club and Kasese town centre. 25 Google +3 4 0 Print AAA Fill in
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