Omukama Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV, the King of Tooro Kingdom has implored his subjects to embrace cultural norms, heritage, and Kingdom and government programs to improve their livelihood and ensure economic development in Uganda.
The Omukama Oyo was addressing thousands of people, including friends of Tooro Kingdom and the neighboring Kingdoms who gathered on September 12, 2024, at Karuzika palace in Fort Portal city to celebrate the 29th coronation anniversary of King Oyo’s reign (Empango) as the Omukama of Tooro Kingdom.
Dressed in traditional attire with men wearing a white tunic called Ekanzu and women donning Omwenagiro, His Majesty King Oyo called upon his subjects to embrace their heritage for a speedy development process in the kingdom since cultural values are crucial component in development of communities and a foundation of unity and team work.
“I urge all my subjects to embrace cultural norms, heritage and development programs under the government and the kingdom to enable everyone have an economically sounding livelihood. Soon, we intend to start model farms in the entire kingdom and people should always endeavor to visit such model farms to improve on their agricultural skills,” King Oyo said.
King Oyo further revealed that through his foundation, an Information Communication Technology ICT center will be opened to educate the youth on technological skills. He asked the people of Tooro to plant more trees to conserve the environment.
The Omukama, however, dismissed rumors circulating around where some people are falsely accusing the Kingdom of planning to evict its subjects who settled on the Kingdom’s land. In his statement, he deemed such statements as mere rumors aiming at disuniting the kingdom because they have no such plans. The Omukama added that those settling on the kingdom land should get in touch with the Kingdom’s Land Board to acquire lease land titles.
Present during the celebration was the Bunyoro Kingdom Premier, Andrew Byakutaga; the deputy Director General of the External Security Organization (ESO), Janet Aine; the Director Tourism Board, Jackson Kiyimba; District political leaders; Rt. Rev. Benezeri Kisembo, the Bishop of Rwenzori Diocese and other religious leaders, among others.
