Unveiling the Controversial Homecoming: King Mumbere, 218 Royal Guards Return, Ending a 7-Year Legal Battle

In a long-awaited and controversial homecoming, King Mumbere and a contingent of 200 royal guards have finally returned after a grueling seven-year legal battle.

The charges, which ranged from terrorism to various other offenses, were dropped by the Director of Public Prosecutions early this week, leaving the nation in a state of shock and intrigue.

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The charges which have been withdrawn before the International Crimes Division-ICD Court presided over by Lady Justice Alice Komuhangi Khaukha include murder, terrorism, treason, malicious damage to property, attempted murder, and aggravated robbery, among others.

The group comprised of 218 suspects had specifically been implicated in the September 14th, 2016 double murder of two Police Constables Saverio Ochema and Simon Peter Apille.

They were accused of attempting to murder Detective Police Constables Polycarp Ojoko, Benon Byaki, Francisco Nsimaki, and Assistant Inspector of Police Denis Ahebwa.

According to the State, Mumbere and his subjects also murdered a Police Constable Godfrey Kasimba on March 24th, 2016 who was formally attached to the defunct Field Force Unit.

The prosecution also alleges that Mumbere and his subjects attacked several police establishments, and property at Bukara and Nyabutsi villages in July and November 2016.

On Tuesday when the matter came up for mention about the progress on how the parties have undergone with preparing the trial, Principal State Attorney Lillian Omara informed the Court that the DPP had lost interest in the case and was withdrawing charges against the accused persons.

Omara tendered before the Court, the letter withdrawing charges) signed by Abodo confirming the withdrawal of the charges against Mumbere and 218 others.

All charges have been withdrawn against all the suspects except Masereka Kamada and Thembo Kitsumbire the former Rwenzururu Prime Minister whom the prosecution says will go ahead to prosecute since he refused to apply for amnesty, unlike the bigger group.

The withdrawal of charges follows the amnesty that was granted to the group by the Amnesty Commission after the suspects admitted to having participated in the crimes and also denounced rebellious activities and reconciled with the government.

On November 26, 2016, after years of tension between the Ugandan government and the Rwenzururu kingdom, government forces attacked the kingdom’s office of the prime minister, killing at least eight people. Later that day, community members clashed with police, and at least 14 police and 32 civilians died.

The army responded the next day by raiding the palace of King Charles Mumbere. During the attack, they arrested him and over 180 others present in the palace compound.

Human Rights Watch research in 2017 found that at least 153 people, including children, died during these clashes, and that official government statistics have given inconsistent casualty figures. Since the massacre, the environment in Kasese has remained tense.