The far southwestern Rwenzori sub-region that covers Kasese, Kyegegwa, Kyenjojo, Kamwenge, Kabarole, Ntoroko and Bundibugyo districts is known to be a predominantly NRM area.
During the 1996 elections President Museveni was given 97 percent of the votes cast here. He took 87 percent of the votes cast in 2001.
Obusinga (Bakonzo cultural institution) may no longer be a big issue in the politics of Rwenzori, especially in Kasese, but unresolved cultural issues and ethnic conflicts will play part in the 2016 elections.
Political analysts in the region say that because the g
overnment has down-played the conflicts here, the Opposition may occupy that space.
Government in 1993 restored traditional institutions, which institutions have been used by the sitting government to gain political capital. In some areas it has worked but not in others.
Mr Mwambutsya Ndebesa, a university don, last year told this paper that culture is being used as a mobilising tool and to exercise control over resources.
In Kasese, the cultural institution despite being in place for over 30 years, had to wait until October 2009 to be recognised after a lot of haggling.
Prior to this, the Obusinga was a big issue which influenced how the elections played out in 2001 and 2006 with the Opposition having a field day. This was after the Opposition politicians made the issues a main plank of the their campaign, winning the hearts of many Bakonjo as a result.
“It started in the CA where a provision was put in the Constitution recognising the cultural institutions to those who so wish” says Chief Prince Christopher Kibanzanga. “Prior to this, the elders over 30 years wanted to revive the cultural institution but some local politicians, especially of the ruling NRM party resisted the move”
Due to this resistance, two groups emerged; those opposed to the Obusinga and those for Obusinga.
“The Opposition asked government: why deny the Bakonjo their cultural rights when other areas had their cultural institutions recognised quickly but NRM continued resisting and so the Opposition became the spokesperson of the issue” says Kibanzanga.
In 2006, the Forum for Democratic Change won three parliamentary seats against two for NRM but after the recognition of Obusinga, the FDC shared the seats with the NRM. The NRM grabbed the Busongora South seat from FDC and also won the new constituency of Kasese Municipality.
“After the 2009 recognition of the Obusinga, the issue of Obusinga and politics relaxed a bit as NRM entered the palace” says Kibanzanga.
Asked how he sees the race to 2016 shaping up in the sub-region, Kibanzanga said, “The Opposition and the NRM may again share the six seats, Opposition in Kasese has grown weaker due to poor mobilisation.
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