BY OBED KULE KITHENDE
The Rwenzururu King (Omusinga) Charles Wesley Mumbere Iremangoma has expressed disappointment over the manner in which the erection of the monument belonging to the first King, Isaya Mukirania Kibanzanga has delayed.
In 2022, Hon. Florence Kabugho, the Kasese District Woman Member of Parliament initiated the idea of having the monument of the founding King of Obusinga Bwa Rwenzururu, Isaya Mukirania Kibanzanga erected at the Kasese Roundabout.
The motion to have the monument erected at the Roundabout was then moved in the Central Division Council by the Councilor representing Kidodo Cell, Hon. Jane Biira but did not yield positive results at the time.
After some time, the leadership of the Obusinga Bwa Rwenzururu led by the Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon. Joseph Kule Muranga and the Kasese District Woman MP, Florence Kabugho later harmonized their positions regarding the proposed erection of the monument at a meeting that was held at Rwenzori International University.
Rt. Hon. Muranga stated that the idea to have monument was good but warned that it should not be politicized and suggested that it should be left to the Obusinga Bwa Rwenzururu structures for its implementation.
At the said meeting, Hon. Kabugho agreed to work under the guidance of the Obusinga Bwa Rwenzururu structures in all the matters related to the cultural institution.
On November 08, 2023, the Central Division passed a motion seeking the installation of a historical monument at Kasese Roundabout in memory of the Late Isaya Mukirania Kibanzanga, the first King of Rwenzururu.
The motion was moved by Hon. Nocodemus Sibanza, the Male Youth Councilor for the Central Division who said that in circumstances where the project was under his council’s mandate and considering that Obusinga Bwa Rwenzururu was among the recognized cultural institutions by the constitution of Uganda, the Late Isaya Mukirania’s monument installation in Kasese was a viable historical venture that the Division should invest in.
On December 22, 2024, Hon. Florence Kabugho officially handed the monument to the administration of the Obusinga Bwa Rwenzururu.
While addressing his subjects that had thronged Immaculate Conception Kitswamba Roman Catholic Church Parish in Busongora County North, Kasese district yesterday, Omusinga Charles Wesley Mumbere Iremangoma revealed that he was not happy with the leaders for allegedly keeping quiet about the erection of the monument.
He described the monument as the profound symbol of identify, pride and vision for the people of Kasese and beyond.
He said the Late Isaya Mukirania was the leader of the Rwenzururu Movement and founding King of Obusinga Bwa Rwenzururu who was enthroned on June 30, 1963, a year after he declared independence from Tooro Kingdom and then died on September 02, 1966.
Speaking to Messiah Radio in an interview after the function, Hon. Florence Kabugho, the sole sponsor of the monument described the Late Isaya Mukirania as a pivotal figure in the history of Obusinga Bwa Rwenzururu.
ENDS