Uganda’s Minister of Defence, Adolf Mwesige on Wednesday told Parliament that a mysterious fire at the Obusinga Bwa Rwenzururu was a case of arson and that the culprits are yet to be brought to book.
On 26th, a structure that doubled as the home of King Charles Wesley Mumbere of Rwenzururu and office was set ablaze by unknown sources which has caused discomfort among his subjects.
“Fire is believed to have originated from one of the inner rooms where it’s suspected that properties were first put together, then set ablaze and subsequently fire spread to other rooms and eventually outside to the compound,” Mwesige said.
He added that two cops have been arrested and charged with neglect of duty foloowing the incident.
After the fire, Dr Nathan Walemba, a member of Privy Council in the Kingdom, said that the burnt structure was the only remaining house in the palace and contained cultural items.
BELOW IS MWESIGE’S FULL STATEMENT
STATEMENT BY THE MINISTER OF DEFENCE AND VETERAN AFFAIRS ON FIRE OUT BREAK / SUSPECTED ARSON AT THE BUHIKIRA ROYAL PALACE OF OBUSINGA BWA RWENZURURU ON 26TH JANUARY 2021.
Rt. Hon. Speaker,
Hon. Members
At the 5 th Sitting of the 3 rd Meeting of the 5 th Session of the 10th Parliament, convened Tuesday, the 9th February 2021, I was required to make a statement on concerns raised by Hon. Centenary Franco, the Hon. Member of Parliament Kasese Municipality, regarding the Fire that gutted the Palace of the Omusinga of Rwenzururu on 26th January 2021.
Rt. Hon Speaker and Hon. Members, the following are the set of facts which I have been able to access from the Uganda Police records with regard to the 26th January 2021 incident of a fire outbreak which occurred at the Palace of the Omusinga Wa Businga Bwa Rwenzururu which is located in Kigari village, Nyakabingo Parish, Nyakabingo sub-county in Kasese Municipality, Kasese District by unknown persons. Upon receiving the information of the unfortunate fire outbreak, the Uganda Police and the fire Brigade in particular rushed to the place and extinguished the fire.
This unfortunate incident was reported to Uganda Police as CRB 48/2021 and investigations into the incident have commenced.
The investigation team has collected exhibits of some burnt items and ash from different rooms for purposes of forensic examination and forwarded them to the Government Analytical Laboratories. Statements have also been collected from some of neighbors to the Palace.
The policemen who were deployed to guard the Palace namely: PC Maghetsc Jonathan No 65213 and PC Okot James No. 71996 were arrested and have been charged for neglect of duty.
OBSERVATION/ FINDINGS SO FAR
l . Fire is believed to have originated from one of the inner rooms where it’s suspected that properties were first put together, then set ablaze and subsequently fire spread to other rooms and eventually outside to the compound.
- It is highly probable that the fire was an act of an arsonist since the Palace had had no electricity at the time the incident happened.
- Previously, the Kingdom’s Prime Minister Hon. Kul Muranga Joseph had received anonymous letter threatening that something would be done to him. The case was reported on 18 January 2021 and investigations are ongoing under CRB: 15/2021.
- The police have developed some working versions and is working with other sources to establish the motive of burning the Palace.
For God and My Country.
Hon. Adolf Mwesige
Minister of Defence and Veteran Affairs 24th February 2021.