Residents of Kivubuka cell in Jinja City Northern Division have roughed up Ayub Banamwita, the former royal chief of Butembe chiefdom for allegedly trespassing in the private home of Busoga kingdom’s premier, Joseph Muvawala.
It all started on Monday after when Banamwita who was riding on a tricycle registration number; UFN 145X alias Tukutuku in the company of a dozen of his loyalists marched towards Muvawala’s home. The group that carried placards asked Muvawala to return his official vehicle and throne, which didn’t go down well with the area residents.
They accused Banamwita and his group of invading Muvawala’s privacy and creating chaos in their area, which led to skirmishes. It took the intervention of the police to arrest Banamwita and six others who are currently in custody at Budondo police station awaiting prosecution. Banamwita told journalists that the angry youths teamed up with royal guards to beat him up leaving him with injuries on the back after leading a protest against what he termed as Muvawala’s participation in the illegal move of withdrawing his official vehicle from him.
He narrates that, a section of the “Baise Waguma,” clan members early this year illegally resolved to enthrone Fredrick Walugembe as the substantive royal chief of Butembe replacing him after serving for close to three years. Banamwita says that he kept on protesting the move to dethrone him as unfair, saying that it was orchestrated by Muvawala to frustrate his efforts of demanding for accountability from the Busoga kingdom operations.
He claimed that the rift between him and Muvawala further widened when the designated kingdom royal guards withdrew his official vehicle from him. Jackie Naigaga, a resident within the area says that Banamwita’s loyalists were overpowered by locals who tore part of his garments, beat him up, and burnt his official chair, which he had carried along during the protest.
Topher Ngobi, another resident that Banamwita’s supporters were armed with big sticks and machetes, prompting them to retaliate by mobilizing themselves to fight back.
Esteri Namulondo, a trader within the area says that small business owners were forced to close shop after noticing the chaotic scenes.
Ayub Wabiika, the mayor of the Jinja City Northern division has urged officials from Ntembe chiefdom and Busoga kingdom to devise means of resolving the current dispute.
Kiira Region Police authorities have since declined to comment about the matter. Busoga Kingdom Spokesperson, Andrew Ntange, argues that Banamwita was among the six royal chiefs who early this year withdrew allegiance from the reigning king and it would be prudent for him to officially announce his official return before making such requests.
Ntange advised Banamwita to seek remedies for such grievances at Busoga kingdom headquarters, rather than invading other people’s privacy within their homes.
for more click here
