The Bugwere Chiefdom (Obwa Ikumbania Bwa Bugwere) has given New Vision newspaper 24 hours to apologize to the Chiefdom over publishing fake news that Balaam Samuku Mubbala Kintu is the new King of Bugwere after a 13-year leadership dispute.
Speaking at a press conference held in Indian quarters Mbale City, the Secretary General and Chairperson of Bugwere Cultural Council, Tom Mbulamberi, dismissed the claims as fake and misleading.
Mbulamberi said Bugwere has not resolved its leadership disputes and there is no new king.
"We dismiss these fake claims that Bugwere have not resolved leadership disputes. The information published by New Vision that Balaam Samuku Mubbala Kintu is the new Bagwere King is totally false," Mbulamberi said.
He called upon New Vision to apologize to the Bugwere people and the entire country for reporting fake news that is causing confusion in the chiefdom.
"We call upon New Vision to apologize to Bugwere people and the entire country for reporting fake news. They have misled the public and embarrassed our cultural institution," he added.
Mbulamberi re-insisted that all conflicting parties in the Bugwere leadership wrangle are under mediation and court gave a one-month ultimatum to resolve all disputes.
"As I speak now, all conflicting parties are under mediation. Court gave us a one-month ultimatum to resolve all disputes amicably. So how can New Vision announce a new king?" he questioned.
He warned media houses to desist from publishing unverified information about cultural institutions and urged them to always seek clarification from the official Chiefdom leadership.
Fred Kamugo Itabangi of the Bagolya Clan, the 1st Prime Minister of Obwa Ikumbania Bwa Bugwere, has warned journalists who report fake news about the Bugwere Chiefdom, saying the Chiefdom hasn't resolved leadership disputes between all parties.
Kamugo was reacting to reports published by New Vision that Balaam Samuku Mubbala Kintu had been declared the new King of Bugwere after a 13-year leadership dispute.
"The Bugwere Chiefdom haven't resolved leadership disputes between all parties. What was published is fake and intended to cause division among our people," Kamugo said.
He said as the first Prime Minister of the Chiefdom, he is aware of all mediation processes and no one has been declared King yet.
"I warn journalists who report fake news about our chiefdom. You should verify information before publishing. You are creating confusion in Bugwere," he warned.
Kamugo called for peace and harmony among all clans as court resolves the leadership disputes.
"I call for peace and harmony in Bugwere as court resolves leadership disputes. We are all Bagwere and we need unity. The court gave us one month for mediation and we are still in that process," he added.
He urged all subjects of Bugwere to remain calm and disregard reports that a new Ikumbania has been installed.
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