Rwenzururu Premier Sent on Leave Pending ‘Rwenzori Attacks’ Trial

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Rwenzururu King Charles Wesley Mumbere Iremangoma has sent the Kingdom’s Prime Minister Noah on leave pending the outcome of the July 5 Rwenzori attack trial.

Nzaghale and five other Kingdom ministers are facing trial in the Army General Court martial on 12 counts of murder and five counts of attempted murder. He is part of the 54 suspects appearing before the army court in Kasese to respond to the charges arising of the attacks that left over 100 people dead.

His deputy Yeremia Mutoro is also among the Indicted officials appearing before the same court in Bundibugyo district.

The changes were announced as part of a mini-cabinet reshuffle by Mumbere in a meeting at his palace at Buhikira, north of Kasese town this afternoon.

He said that the Premier has been allowed to leave for a non-specified period of time to enable him concentrate on the trial before the General Court Martial.

Mumbere adds that due to the stressing court experience that the premier is undergoing, he would certainly need a break from official engagements by Obusinga.

Nzaghale is replaced with the Speaker of the House of Representatives Enock Jimmy Muhindo in an acting position. Muhindo had acted in the same position in July this year before Nzaghale was granted bail from Katojo prison by the army court.

Meanwhile, Mumbere dropped from his team, the three ministers who applied for amnesty after conceding to the central government that they planned and participated in the July 5 attacks on government installations in Bundibugyo, Kasese and Ntoroko districts.

They are; Joshua Balikurungi, Minister for Royal Security, his Deputy Vincent Kapilongo and Environment, Tourism and Cultural sites minister Elisha Mberemu.

The trio although arrested in the aftermath of the attacks, never appeared before the General Court Martial. They were dropped from the charge sheet after seeking amnesty.

Mumbere says the fact that they confessed to the government as part of the planning of the attacks, they do not have the integrity to serve the kingdom adding that their deputies will act until new appointments are made.

Also dropped is the Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development Thembo Kitsumbire, a decision that Mumbere said was based on the purpose of improving the performance of the same ministry. He has appointed Yowasi Thembo Mugamba as the new finance minister.

Speaking shortly after his leave was announced; Nzaghale, the outgoing premier says that the King made a wise decision because there is no way the administration would go on smoothly when his mind is in court.

Noah Nzaghale an electrician by profession is the third substantive prime minister since the Kingdom was recognized nearly five years ago whereas Enoch Jimmy Muhindo is the third Acting Premier.