The High Court of Uganda seated at Mbarara District has declared that Prince Umar Asiimwe Ntare VI Rubambasi the grandson of Omugabe Ntare V is not the Omugabe (King) of Ankore Ankole Kingdom. Ankole Kingdom, located in South Western Uganda and East of Lake Edward was abolished in 1967 under the orders of Sir. Apollo Milton Obote. However, on 3rd April, 1992, H.E. Yoweri Kaguta Museveni restored Kingdoms after a meeting with the Army Council in Gulu with the exception of Ankole Kingdom. Since then, the Crown Inheritance of Ankore Kingdom has been a point of controversy to date.
Last year, a one Phillip Musiime dragged the self proclaimed King of Ankole to the High Court presided over by Justice Gordon Musiime on grounds that he was not the rightful heir to throne and therefore, his coronation there-under was nothing but an inconsistency with the Constitution of the Republic of Uganda. Eventually, the Judge did concur with the plaintiff in this matter and nullified Prince Umar Asiimwe’s Kingship, a decision that was not welcomed by the Prince. His Lordship Gordon Musiime further avered that this coronation by the defendant was in contravention of Article 246 (1) and (6) of the 1995 Constitution.
“For purposes of this article, “traditional leader or cultural leader” means King or similar traditional leader or cultural leader by whatever name called, who derives allegiance from the fact of birth or descent in accordance with customs, traditions, usage and consent of the people led by that traditional or cultural leader.”
Art. 246 (6) of the 1995 Constitution of the Republic of Uganda (As amended).
In his press address, he contended that this decision was politically motivated and would announce his next move soon. He said that he is confident that his team will come up with an agreeable solution in the coming days.
