Preparations for the 59th Coronation Anniversary of Obusinga Bwa Rwenzururu (OBR) and the first-ever Omusinga’s Birthday Run, both scheduled for Friday, November 14, 2025, are in high gear in Kasese District.
The Inspector General of Police (IGP) has assured residents of tight security during the celebrations.
The coronation anniversary, initially planned for October 19, was postponed after Omusinga Charles Wesley Mumbere was airlifted abroad for medical treatment just days before the event.
Following the November 1, 2025, simultaneous attacks in the districts of Kasese, Fort Portal, and Bundibugyo by suspected machete-wielding assailants, which left over 40 suspects dead and more than 90 arrested, IGP Abbas Byakagaba visited Kasese District on Wednesday to assess the security situation ahead of the coronation.
During his visit, the IGP held a closed-door meeting with police officers from the four policing divisions of the Rwenzori East Region (Kasese) and cabinet ministers of the Obusinga Bwa Rwenzururu at Virina Gardens in Kasese Municipality.
Addressing journalists after the meeting, IGP Byakagaba reaffirmed the police’s commitment to ensuring peace and safety throughout the celebrations.
‘We will ensure that people jubilate in peace on Friday, November 14, as OBR celebrates its 59th Coronation Anniversary and hosts the first-ever Omusinga’s Birthday Run. The Kingdom has played a crucial role in promoting stability, not only in Kasese District but across the entire region.’
He further commended the strong collaboration between the Kingdom and security agencies.
‘The relationship between the Kingdom and the police remains solid, and we have worked closely together over the years. Our commitment to maintaining peace will not end with these celebrations but will continue through the Christmas season and even during the upcoming elections.’
Commenting on the recent attacks, the IGP strongly condemned the violence, revealing that suspects arrested in connection with the incidents would soon be presented before the courts of law.
‘No one should be misled or tempted to engage in unlawful activities. Those involved in such acts are being isolated and dealt with according to the law. Let us all be ambassadors of peace and unity. We must also stay productive, because idleness can create fertile ground for such negative ideologies.’
In response, Obusinga Prime Minister Mr Benson Kule Baritazale expressed gratitude for the IGP’s visit and message, noting that it gave the Kingdom renewed confidence in the government’s commitment to regional security.
‘The IGP’s reassurance has strengthened our hope for continued peace and safety in the region and the country at large, especially as we head into the coronation celebrations,’ he said.
He expressed optimism about the continued collaboration between the Kingdom and the security agencies, noting that during the meeting, they had unveiled the five foundational pillars of the Obusinga Bwa Rwenzururu (OBR), along with key insights from the Kingdom’s five-year strategic plan.
Baritazale revealed that the Kingdom is seeking Shs 1.3 billion to facilitate the implementation of the initial projects.
‘Among the projects we hope to begin is the establishment of a radio station, Nzururu FM, to help with the quick and effective dissemination of OBR programs. We also plan to create a One-Stop Cultural Village, a site that visitors can access for learning and tourism purposes-especially to educate the younger generation,’ he said.
Meanwhile, a series of activities were conducted for this year’s 59th Coronation Anniversary and the Omusinga’s Birthday Run, including community cleaning exercise, tree-planting campaign, among others.
Mr Jackson Mumbere, Programs Director at People and Nature Rwenzori Mountains, said the tree-planting exercise was at Buhikira Royal Hill in Kasese Town, saying the campaign aims to plant over 800 indigenous trees, building on the 100,000 trees already planted between July 5, 2019, and October 16, 2025.
He further noted that the organization had signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with OBR to strengthen collaboration on environmental restoration efforts.
‘We have partnered with OBR and signed an MoU with them. We urge all Kingdom subjects to embrace tree planting across Kasese District as a way of restoring degraded soils.’