Kasese, Uganda | NOW THEN DIGITAL — The Rwenzururu kingdom is planning a significant transformation of the Obusinga Bwa Rwenzururu palace on Kibanzanga road in Kasese Town. This transformation aims to turn the palace into a museum, strategically preserving cultural artifacts and commemorating past events.
This decision follows the return of Omusinga after spending nearly seven years in prison and the subsequent need to address the state of the palace, which was considerably damaged and partially destroyed in a 2016 military operation.
Joseph Kule Muranga, the Rwenzururu Kingdom’s Prime Minister, emphasized the cultural significance of not revisiting places where blood was shed, making the transformation into a museum an ideal option. This museum could also serve as a tourist attraction, drawing parallels with places like Namugongo, a significant tourist site.
The government has already secured land for the construction of a new palace, aiming to uphold cultural heritage and generate revenue for the cultural institution. The construction plans are underway, supervised by the Uganda Peoples Defence Forces (UPDF) engineering brigade.
Furthermore, transforming the palace into a museum aligns with the concept of dark tourism, attracting visitors interested in regions with historical tragedy. This museum could shed light on past events, promote conflict prevention, and contribute to peacebuilding efforts in the Kasese District and the entire Rwenzori Sub-region.
Innovatively, this museum could also function as a peace center, providing training and education to prevent conflicts and effectively resolve differences, thus fostering sustainable peace in a community that has witnessed prolonged conflicts.
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