Medard Asiimwe Beyendera, another resident has welcomed the renovation of the palace but wonders why it is taking place at the time when there is a contention on the crown prince.
Mbarara Grade One magistrate Sanyu Mukasa has remanded Prince Umar Asiimwe Rubambansi, the claimant to the Ankole Kingdom crown. Also remanded at Kyamugoranyi government prison until February 27, are four of Asiimwes followers who appeared in court on Tuesday.
Asiimwe, who claims the lineage of the deceased former Ankole King Ntare V, in 2016 declared himself as king and appointed a cabinet of his own. Over the past months, he and his team have been involved in vigorous mobilization for support of the restoration of Ankole Kingdom, one of those abolished by the Obote administration in 1967.
Samwiri Rukoza worked in the Ankole Kingdom palace as chief body guard to Omugabe Sir Charles Gasyonga until he died in 1983. He then continued serving in the same capacity for Crown Prince John Patrick Barigye who also died in October 2011.
Prince Charles Aryaija Rwebishengye the heir to late John Patrick Barigye has been installed the new patron of Nkole cultural trust a group agitating for the restoration of Ankole Kingdom.
Charles Aryaija Rwebishengye Barigye II has been traditionally crowned the Crown Prince of Ankole at a low key ceremony held at Muhabura Kariro palace in Kashari County, Mbarara district.
A somber mood hangs at Kariro Palace in Mbarara as people gather to mourn the death of Prince John Patrick Barigye, the Crown Prince of Ankole Kingdom.
