Elite commando units have arrested Rwenzururu King Wesley Mumbere in a daring raid on his palace in Kasese as armed militants fought decisive battles with UPDF throughout Saturday night.
Mumbere had refused to vacate his palace on orders of military and police officers on Sunday.
Police spokesperson Felix Andrew Kaweesi said most of the armed militants were hiding in the palace under the supervision of Mumbere.
“We relate with the king in areas of security. We reached him in order to contain the situation. If he doesn’t, we will use reasonable resources to restore sanity in the region,” said Kaweesi at a presser at police headquarters in Kampala.
“He should tell the criminals to get out or we will enter. We have talked to Omusinga if he cooperates we will work together,” added the police publicist.
He warned that Mumbere’s failure to quit the palace would compel the armed forces to take it over.
“We have given Rwenzori Kingdom to chase all criminals from the palace or we will move in,” said Kaweesi.
“The palace is part of Uganda. We will breaching no law if we went inside to collect criminals,” he added.
Indeed, as Kaweesi spoke at the press conference in Kampala, specialized military and police units were overrunning the heavily fortified palace.
Sources said all Royal Guards who attempted to put up resistance were taken out of action.
Mumbere is currently being airlifted to Kampala where he is scheduled to meet President Museveni at State House Entebbe at 9:00pm.
The fighting in Rwenzori has shocked the nation amid fears of a growing insurgency.