KASESE, Uganda – The Rwenzururu Kingdom on Saturday celebrated the 60th coronation anniversary of Omusinga Charles Wesley Mumbere Irema-Ngoma, marking six decades since he inherited the throne from his father, Isaya Mukirania Kibanzanga, the kingdom’s founding monarch.
The celebrations, held at Nyakasanga Playground in Kasese Municipality, brought together cultural leaders, politicians, religious figures, business representatives and hundreds of kingdom subjects. The anniversary was combined with the Omusinga’s birthday run, giving the occasion both cultural and community significance.
The event had initially been scheduled for Oct. 19, the kingdom’s traditional coronation anniversary date, but was postponed because the Omusinga was undergoing medical review in Turkey. His return to Uganda earlier this month cleared the way for the celebrations.
Second Deputy Prime Minister and Leader of Government Business in Parliament Dr. Crispus Kiyonga represented President Yoweri Museveni as chief guest. In a message delivered on the president’s behalf, the government urged the people of Rwenzururu to embrace wealth creation programs and take advantage of opportunities intended to improve household incomes.
The message emphasized that cultural identity and economic development should complement each other, encouraging the kingdom to mobilize its people toward productive activities and sustainable livelihoods.
Addressing his subjects, Omusinga Mumbere called for unity, reconciliation and a change in mindset, warning against involvement in subversive activities that could undermine the peace and stability of the Rwenzori region.
He reflected on the kingdom’s difficult history, recalling how his father, Isaya Mukirania Kibanzanga, moved from armed resistance toward peaceful approaches in the struggle for recognition. Mumbere encouraged his subjects to embrace education, dialogue and economic transformation rather than violence.
The Omusinga also thanked the government for supporting his medical treatment in Turkey and for pledging assistance toward reconstructing the Obuhikira Royal Palace, which was destroyed during a military operation in November 2016. He commended kingdom subjects who have contributed resources toward rebuilding the royal establishment.
Six decades of a historic reign
The 60th anniversary carries particular significance because Mumbere’s reign has been marked by prolonged exile, political confrontation and a gradual restoration of relations between the kingdom and the central government.
The Rwenzururu movement emerged in 1962 when sections of the Bakonzo and Baamba communities challenged the authority of the Toro Kingdom, seeking greater political and cultural autonomy. Isaya Mukirania Kibanzanga became the movement’s founding king, establishing the foundations of what would later become the Rwenzururu cultural institution.
Following his father’s death in 1966, Charles Wesley Mumbere inherited the throne while still a child. His succession marked the beginning of a reign that would span major political changes in Uganda, although much of that period was spent away from the kingdom.
Mumbere lived in exile for several years, including in the United States, as the Rwenzururu question remained unresolved. His return and the government’s formal recognition of the cultural institution in 2009 marked a turning point, allowing him to exercise his cultural responsibilities openly.
However, the kingdom faced another major crisis in November 2016 when security forces raided the royal palace in Kasese following clashes involving security personnel and royal guards. The operation left many people dead, resulted in the destruction of the palace and led to Mumbere’s arrest.
The king subsequently faced criminal charges, including treason and terrorism, before the government discontinued the prosecution in 2023. His return to Kasese after years of restrictions opened a new chapter in relations between the kingdom and the state.
Saturday’s anniversary therefore represented more than a celebration of longevity on the throne. It offered the kingdom an opportunity to reflect on its turbulent past while promoting reconciliation, cultural preservation and development.
One of the kingdom’s major outstanding projects remains the reconstruction of the Obuhikira Royal Palace. The first phase of the proposed development has previously been estimated at approximately 5 billion shillings, with fundraising efforts involving kingdom subjects and other supporters.
The celebrations also featured the Omusinga’s birthday run, with distances of 5, 10 and 20 kilometers. The activity brought together participants in a demonstration of community solidarity and support for the kingdom’s development agenda.
For Rwenzururu, the 60th anniversary marks a rare historical milestone. From a childhood succession in 1966 to formal government recognition in 2009 and the challenges that followed, Mumbere’s reign reflects the kingdom’s long struggle for cultural identity, stability and recognition within Uganda.
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