The Inspector General of Police Lt. Gen. Kale Kayihura has said government will not provide security for the self-styled cultural leader of the Basongora.
Kayihura says the government can’t provide security for Ivan Bwebale Rutakirwa because he is not recognized as a cultural leader.
Kayihura made the comments in Kasese on Monday after Jimmy Kagoro Muzoora, the second deputy premier of Busongora Kingdom demanded for security for Rutakirwa. This was during a meeting between Kayihura and members of the Basongora community at Muhokya.
Last week, members of the Rwenzururu War Veterans Association attacked Muhokya Police Station and killed one police officer. The police retaliated and killed three members of the association, who were armed with spears, knives and pangas.
Muzoora told Kayihura that the cultural leader’s life is under threat following Friday’s incident.
According to Muzoora, unknown people are planning to attack the home of Rutakirwa and kidnap him. Muzoora told Kayihura that Rwenzururu veterans are taking advantage of the lack of security for Rutakirwa to attack him.
Kayihura, however, declined to give in to Muzoora’s demands, saying that police will be deployed to protect the residents of Muhokya and not the Basongora leader. He says that by providing Rutakirwa with security, it will be an indication that the government recognizes him.
Kayihura instead urged the two parties to find ways of working together.
Earlier on, Kayihura refused to meet Rutakirwa, who was dressed in his blue royal robes.
The self-styled king eagerly waited for Kayihura, but when the police chief arrived at Muhokya and found him dressed in the royal robes and seated on the throne, he moved out saying that Rutakirwa should first remove the attire and then meet him.
Kayihura’s comments did not please some of the cabinet ministers of Busongora, who threatened to arm their tribesmen with spears to protect their leader.
Meanwhile the police officer, who fought off and shot dead three members of the Rwenzururu war veterans association during the attack on the police station, has been promoted.
Alfred Lusenge, who has been a special police constable, was promoted to the rank of constable by Kayihura.
Levi Sande, the Officer in-charge Muhokya Police Station who was stabbed by the attackers has been referred to Mulago Hospital on the orders of Kayihura for further treatment.
There has been tension in Kasese since July 1st when the Basongora installed Rutakirwa as their king, in effect breaking away from Rwenzururu Kingdom.
