{UAH} Two years later, Museveni still stuck with Omusinga Mumbere
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On Saturday November 26, 2016, the UPDF raided the office of the prime minister of Rwenzururu Kingdom, leaving more than half a dozen people dead
Asuman Bisiika BY Asuman Bisiika
I was challenged: Why haven't you flooded social media with commemoration messages on the Kasese killings? Because on the commemoration day (November 26), 'our people' were meeting Museveni's people. And we thought any remonstration with Museveni would negatively impact on the attitudes (of Museveni's people) in this important meeting.
On Saturday November 26, 2016, the UPDF raided the office of the prime minister of Rwenzururu Kingdom, leaving more than half a dozen people dead. The next day, they raided the palace of the King of Rwenzururu, leaving more than 100 dead and taking into custody more than 100 others. Among those taken into custody was the Omusinga (King) of Rwenzururu Kingdom.
Those taken into custody were later to be produced in court in Jinja, about 500kms from what the State claimed was the scene-of-crime in Kasese. What followed showed that this was no ordinary crime or that the State did not have what it took to secure a conviction in courts of law, which is probably why two years later, the case is neither here nor there.
Omusinga Mumbere was later to secure court bail. But he was immediately arrested and an attempt was made by the State to try him in the General Court Martial of the UPDF. Whereas Omusinga Mumbere eventually got bail (actually negotiated it outside court), the conditions for the bail bordered on house arrest. His movements were limited to Metro Kampala. And he could only go to Jinja for court appearances.
Worse, these conditions have even been abused. For instance, we have just learnt that his phone was withdrawn (confiscated) from him and his pleas for going for medical check-up have met deaf ears. He is not allowed to receive visitors. In short, he is in prison.
My personal take is that mistakes were made on both sides. And whereas acknowledging responsibility is necessary, the particulars of what happened and who did what to who should not blind stakeholders from their immediate need for building confidence between the community and the State.
Mumbere is willing to defend his innocence in court; but the State controls almost all levers of the court process… This realisation could explain why Mumbere's people have tried other means to put the State in a state of bother: they tried the media, Parliament, International Criminal Court, etc.
I am familiar with the fact that some lawyers have advised them (Mumbere's people) to instate civil proceedings against individual State actors involved in the Kasese killings and torture of detainees. Some lawyers have also been seeking to take on Mumbere's case. And oh yes, Mumbere people sought my advice on the matter. My response: I discouraged them. I told them Mumbere's issue is not going to be resolved in court.
I am knowledgeable about a meeting that took place in Kasese this week. Forgive my usual self-praise, but I was the 'original' initiator of what many now call the Salim Saleh and Prof Tarsis Kabwegyere initiative on the Mumbere issue. Gen Salim Saleh himself can vouch for me on this revelation.
Mr Museveni should realise that he has nowhere to put Mumbere; save for keeping him under perpetual house arrest (masked as one of the bail conditions); convict and sentence him to death or other or whatever. And by the way, Mumbere could even die in his 'house prison' due to his failing health.
But Museveni needs to pick the courage to look squarely into this matter and make a decision. He should not hide behind his 'interactions' with the Isaaya Mukirania (royal) family. Otherwise his inaction (I hear informed by fear) is rendering the entire community into socio-political paralysis.
Mr Bisiika is the executive editor of East African Flagpost.
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