By Andrew Irumba
Shame has engulfed the people of Rwenzururu and the royal family after it emerged that the kingdom is yet to pay medical bills for fallen Queen Mother Nyamukama Christine Biira Mukirania, who passed away a few months ago.
Matters have even worsened after information emerging reveal that the condolence money from president Yoweri Museveni that was meant to clear medical bills has since been stolen by an unidentified person.
Mukirania is mother to Rwenzururu King Charles Wesley Mumbere, State minister for agriculture Kibazanga and their other siblings.
She died in June this year after battling diabetes and hypertension for a long time, coupled with multiple surgeries at different medical facilities.
It should be noted that President Yoweri Museveni had taken responsibility of Nyamukama’s health and ably catered for the medical bills.
However, Spy Uganda has learnt that although State House advanced Shs39m to the Rwenzururu royal family to clear the medical bills and offset any expenses incurred during the convalescence of the old woman, the bills have never been paid.
Prince Christopher William Kibanzanga, who spearheaded the controversial burial ceremony of Mukirania, acknowledged that the money had been received but was misappropriated by one of the family members, although he didn’t reveal who it was.
However, Onesmus Kibaya, the administrator Kilembe Mines Hospital, revealed that the royal family hasn’t paid Sh1.6M in medical bills.
Kibaya said “We issued a debtor invoice to the royal family and we are still patiently waiting for the monies to be paid.”
Yoledi Bwambale, the administrator at Kasese Hospital, said that much as the facility offered credit services for the health of the deceased, they are yet to get payment. Bwambale, however, declined to reveal how much they demand for their services.
Rwenzori East Regional Police Spokesperson Vincent Twesige said they have learnt of the embezzlement of the funds and investigations are already on going, such that they can apprehend whoever missused the money that was meant to clear Mukirania’s medical bills.
However, Twesige revealed that a one James Bwambale, a son-in-law of the deceased, who had been introduced by late Mukirania as her confidant and often collected resources from State House on her behalf, has since been arrested.
It is said Bwambale has since confessed having received the money butsaid he used it for personal needs. He is currently facing charges of theft and embezzlement of funds and his file is already in the Resident State Attorney, after which he will be paraded in court.
