Security raids Mumbere’s home after rumors of fleeing

Security operatives on Wednesday night stormed the home of confined Rwenzururu King Charles Wesley Mumbere in Muyenga, a Kampala suburb, the kingdom has confirmed.

In a statement by their spokesperson Clarence Bwambale, the kingdom claims that following rumors on social media that Mumbere had fled from his confinement and sneaked his way to Kasese District, security operatives armed to the teeth ambushed the home in Muyenga and combed it thoroughly.

“I can confirm the security team reached the palace at midnight but the situation at the palace is normal and all people are there and safe,” Bwambale said.

“The palace was visited by the top security personnel as their normal routine who upon receiving social media reports that the Omusinga was not at his palace, had to be sure they were providing adequate information,” he added.

In the same statement, the kingdom spokesperson confirms that officials later met with security operatives regarding the visit, and they were assured that there was nothing strange with the visit but “their normal routine and security duty of ensuring that the King is fine’.

“They (security operatives) highlighted to our Kingdom security minister that they were verifying the social media reports that had indicated that the Omusinga was not in his place and they confirmed to him that he was there,” the statement from Bwambale reads.

“We call upon the public to treat the above incident as normal security duty. Let’s work to ensure peace prevails once and forever in our kingdom. The rest can be handled by the Omusinga’s legal team and security,” the statement concluded.

The Rwenzururu King was arrested in November 2016 following a security forces’ raid on his palace in Kasese town and overrun it leading to death of over 80 people.

Upon his arrest, Mumbere was charged with; murder, treason, terrorism, arson and malicious damage at Jinja High Court.

He was consequently detained before being granted bail on February 6 with tough conditions, including not setting foot in Rwenzori sub-region.

He was restricted to move in only three districts of Kampala, Wakiso and Jinja.

Mumbere has since his arrest in November not set foot in Kasese .

In May last year, Mumbere protested the continued presence or security operatives at his home as well as his restricted movements arguing that he is on bail and had the rights to a free environment.