46 royal guards killed in attack on Rwenzururu Palace

The Uganda Police Force have confirmed that 46 royal guards were killed in an offensive at Obusinga Bwa Rwenzururu Palace in Kasese District on Sunday.

The Uganda Police Force have confirmed that 46 royal guards were killed in an offensive at Obusinga Bwa Rwenzururu Palace in Kasese District on Sunday.

The guards were killed in an exchange with UPDF soldiers according to Rwenzori East police spokesperson Mansur Suwed, who also said 139 royal guards were arrested and are being detained at Kasese Police Station.

Several items were recovered at the palace including 16 patrol bombs, 42 knives, three metal detectors, one SMG rifle, and one pistol with two magazines. Others include four radio calls and 47 pangas.

Brig Peter Elwelu, the UPDF 2nd Division Commander defended the army’s attack on the palace, saying King Mumbere had been given an ultimatum of two hours to disband and disarm all royal guards from the palace. He added that Mumbere was told to remain with only nine royal guards but he declined to adhere, forcing the army to launch an offensive on the palace.

Brig Elwelu described the actions of the royal guards as those of a terrorist group destabilizing the region.

He said the operations in the district will continue and the camps belonging to the royal guards will be razed down.

Omusinga Mumbere was detained at Kasese Police Station after which he was airlifted to Kampala. He is now at th Special Investigations Unit awaiting a meeting with President Museveni later today.

The Daily Monitor 

UM– USEKE.RW