Rwenzururu king (Omusinga) Charles Wesley Mumbere Irema-Ngoma, publicly condemned the vicious attacks which claimed lives and disrupted the peace of the region. (File)

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The November 1, 2025, bloody militant attacks that rocked the Rwenzori region have once again proved that insecurity knows no tribe, colour, race, social status or cultural differences.

According to security situation reports, up to 24 of the attackers died as the army, police, and residents jointly fought off the unknown assailants that mainly simultaneously targeted military and police units in

Kasese and Bundibugyo districts and Fort Portal city.

In light of the developments, the kingdoms of Rwenzururu and Toro have strongly condemned the attacks and urged their subjects to unite against the enemies of peace.

In a strongly worded and emotionally charged November 2, 2025, presser, Rwenzururu king (Omusinga) Charles Wesley Mumbere Irema-Ngoma, publicly condemned the vicious attacks which claimed lives and disrupted the peace of the region.

Through his prime minister, Kule Benson Baritazale, Mumbere described the attacks as “cowardly acts of violence” that have once again “caused death, fear and disruption within our beloved Rwenzori region.”

Omusinga Mumbere issued the statement from Istanbul, Turkey, where he has been undergoing Uganda government-supported medical treatment since mid last month, accompanied by his queen, Agnes Ithungu Asimawe and his personal assistant, Bradford Nguru.

Mumbere expressed deep concern for the victims and reassured the public that the Kingdom stands by them in grief and prayer.

“His Majesty extends heartfelt appreciation to the Government and the security forces for their prompt and decisive response in restoring calm and order across the affected areas. He further expresses confidence that the perpetrators will be swiftly identified, apprehended, and brought to justice,” said the two-pager statement signed by Baritazale.

Salutes govt

The Omusinga saluted the Government and security forces for their quick response in protecting the affected communities and restoring order.

Rwenzururu king (Omusinga) Charles Wesley Mumbere Irema-Ngoma. (File)

Calls for calm

The Omusinga urged all residents of the Rwenzori region to remain calm, united and vigilant and continue co-operating with security forces during ongoing investigations.

He further urged them to embrace dialogue, reconciliation, and peaceful conflict resolution, reject hate speech, tribalism, and regional divisions “as the only true path to lasting peace and sustainable development in our region.”

Saddened by unpatriotic social media

He said he was concerned with social media speculations falsely associating or linking these acts of criminality to the Obusinga Bwa Rwenzururu.

“Such actions, whether motivated by history, prejudice or misinformation, only serve to mislead the public and divert attention from identifying the real culprits. Anyone spreading such unfounded narratives should be treated with utmost scrutiny, as they contribute to the instability in the Rwenzori,” he said.

The Obusinga Bwa Rwenzururu remains steadfast in its commitment to peace, unity in diversity, reconciliation, socio-economic and cultural transformation, and mindset change, the principles that continue to guide all Kingdom engagements and development initiatives throughout the Rwenzori region.

Toro kingdom

In an equally strong-worded press statement dated November 1, the Toro kingdom describes the attacks as not only “heinous” but also “intolerable.”

“Toro kingdom extends its deepest condolences to the families affected by this tragedy; the grieving relatives of our community members and the family of the fallen soldier.

According to a Police report from Bundibugyo, the attackers killed one Ugandan soldier (RA 306897) Private Kwesiga Samuel from the Malindi detach, by cutting and shooting him in the head, injuring (RA 307056) Private Twongyirwe Erias by breaking his leg and killing his civilian wife, Nayebare Annitah.

“We stand in solidarity with you during this painful time,” the statement signed by Kingdom Prime Minister Calvin Armstrong Rwomire says.

“We unequivocally condemn these acts of violence, which seek to undermine the peace and stability we cherish in our region; such disruptions are intolerable and must unite against them,” it says.

Affirming unwavering support to the army in safeguarding the sub-region’s safety and security, the kingdom calls upon the youth in the kingdom “to reject the path of violence and to be vigilant” and report any suspicious activities to the authorities.

The attacks

At about 5:00am on November 1, an unknown number of armed militants simultaneously attacked Kasese Central Police barracks, Malindi and Kakuka UPDF detachments in Bundibugyo district and also attempted to raid Canon Apollo Core Primary Teachers College and Nyakasura Senior Secondary in Fort Portal North City Division.

👉 Kasese, Bundibugyo and Fort Portal attackers targeted army and police says UPDF

The attackers were armed with a few AK-47 assault rifles and mostly new pangas, new knives, some catapults and dressed in new black gumboots, new jackets and each clutching an eggplant and carrying some herbs purportedly to guard them against bullets.

By press time, the reported death toll of the attackers across Bundibugyo, Kasese and Fort Portal City had reached 24.

Security beefed up, Govt

Army spokesperson Felix Kulayigye. (File)

In a statement, the army called for calm, reiterating its commitment to ensuring “all Ugandans, especially residents of Bundibugyo, Kasese and Fort Portal, that the situation is under control.”

“Additional security measures have been deployed to reinforce stability and prevent further incidents,” army spokesperson Felix Kulayigye said.