BY OBED KULE KITHENDE
Residents of Kigali – Muyenga Cell, Nyakabingo II Ward in Kasese Municipality have raised concern over a growing security threat posed by the former Rwenzururu Kingdom Palace that was attacked during a security operation in November 2016.
The palace, which was declared a crime scene, has to date remained abandoned and has turned into a thick bush, suspected to be harbouring wrongdoers.
Ms. Janet Tuhaise, an immediate neighbour to the palace and Mr. Paul Kijangwa told the media that they now live in fear.
The abandoned palace shares a fence with Kasese Secondary School, which has over 1,500 learners, with more than 900 in the boarding section.
The Head Teacher, Mr. Joseph Nzukwa, says he wrote to the security officials raising concerns over the threat to the learners.
The L. C I Chairperson for Kigali – Muyenga Cell, Mr. Zepher Sunday Masereka, confirmed the security threat, saying it has caused sleepless nights among residents.
The Kasese Resident District Commissioner, Lt. Joe Walusimbi, assured the residents of intervention. He, however, noted that government needs to clarify whether the palace is still an active crime scene or not.
Lt. Walusimbi also called upon plot and house owners in Kasese to take responsibility by clearing bushes and locking up abandoned houses.
When contacted, officials from the Obusinga Bwa Rwenzururu (OBR) declined to comment, but said the property has never been handed back to the Kingdom by government.
However, in late July this year during a press briefing, His Majesty Charles Wesley Mumbere Iremangoma, called upon security to release Kingdom vehicles and other properties to allow resumption of
The Kingdom is currently mobilizing her subjects to fundraise for the construction of a new palace.
ENDS