Rwenzururu kingdom minister gunned down in DRC
A source said the murder could have been orchestrated by a rift within a faction of the Bakonzo of the DRC, known as Bandande, who are allied under an association known as Ekyaghanda Ky’Abayira, where Kavira was the General Secretary.
(L-R) The late Kavira in happier days with the kingdom's 3rd Deputy Premier, Best Bakoko. (Credit: John Thawite)
John B. Thawite
Journalist @New Vision
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The Rwenzururu kingdom, locally known as Obusinga Bwa Rwenzururu (OBR), is mourning the death of one of its cabinet ministers, murdered in the Easter Democratic Republic of the war-torn Congo (DRC).
Anuarite Kavira Kyalima, a Congolese national, served as the kingdom’s Deputy Minister of Inter-Cultural Cooperation and External Relations.
New Vision online has reliably learnt that the kingdom has sent two ministers to represent the kingdom at Kavira’s funeral at her ancestral home around Beni.
The Omusinga (King) Charles Wesley Mumbere Irema-Ngoma, appointed Kavira in March last year, replacing Lucy Biira Kabanyoro, who held the portfolio.
“Hon. Anuarite was brutally murdered in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) by unknown assailants while returning from a burial ceremony,” the kingdom’s spokesperson, Geofrey Kanyonyi, said in an April 29 statement seen by New Vision online.
“Her untimely death is not only a profound loss to her family and the Kingdom but also a serious setback to ongoing efforts toward cross-border cooperation and intercultural harmony,” says Kanyonyi, who also doubles as the kingdom’s information and mobilisation minister.
“In recognition of her distinguished service and lasting contributions to the Kingdom, and in accordance with OBR protocol, the Kingdom flag shall be flown at half-mast for three (3) days from Wednesday, April 30, to Friday, May 2, 2025, at all locations where the Kingdom.
He called upon all subjects of the Kingdom to stand with the Kingdom in mourning this gallant daughter of Rwenzururu.
“Let us honour her memory as a symbol of peace, unity, and unwavering dedication to the dignity and advancement of our community. May her legacy continue to inspire our efforts for unity, peace, and shared identity,” says the statement, copied to Omusinga (King) Charles Wesley Mumbere Irema-Ngoma.
By press time, the circumstances surrounding Kavira’s death were still unclear.
But a source said the murder could have been orchestrated by a rift within a faction of the Bakonzo of the DRC, known as Bandande, who are allied under an association known as Ekyaghanda Ky’Abayira, where Kavira was the General Secretary.
One faction was allegedly opposed to her being their officer and a minister in the OBR.
Meanwhile, the king has relieved Joseph Kule Muranga, one of the institution’s longest-serving Prime Ministers, on health grounds.
Mumbere replaced Muranga with Kule Benson Baritazale, a former Commissioner in Uganda’s Education Ministry.
Kule, a veteran teacher, is deputised by Patrick Baluku Muhesi, a retired Bank of Uganda Deputy Director, as First Deputy Premier and Best Bakoko, who also doubles as the Gender Minister.