Francis Mugerwa
13 June 2011
Ongoing Nato air strikes against embattled Libyan leader Col. Muammar Gaddafi is simply another form of colonising Africa by western powers, the King of Bunyoro, Solomon Gafabusa Iguru has said.
Omukama Iguru, who was on Friday addressing a congregation at St. Peter’s Cathedral in Hoima town on the eve of his 17th coronation anniversary, urged African leaders to condemn the attacks.
The prayers were also attended by the Archbishop of Congo, Henry Isingoma, who hails from the Hema ethnic group in DRC, which shares cultures with the Banyoro.
The archbishop argued that historically, parts of Congo belonged to the former Bunyoro-kitara empire which explains their cultural similarity .
Iguru, who said Bunyoro’s might was split by colonialists, castigated the fight against Gaddafi.
“Sincerely, why are they fighting Libya? They just want to plunder its resources,” the king said.
He claimed that the use of a divide-and-rule policy has divided African states to date, which has hampered unity and development.
Friendly ties
The Bunyoro king, a grandson of Omukama Kabalega, has reportedly been a friend to the Libyan leader for a long time.
Severally, Bunyoro has accused colonialists of disorganising development in this former empire which reportedly flourished in the pre-colonial era. Iguru said he fully supports efforts by African countries to unite and solve their own problems.
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