President Museveni has hailed King Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV for preserving Tooro Kingdom’s cultural values in his 24 years of reign.
Speaking at King Oyo’s 24th coronation anniversary at Karuzika Palace in Fort Portal, Kabarole district, on Thursday, the 2nd Deputy Prime Minister, Kirunda Kivejinja, who delivered the President’s message, said King Oyo has shown how cultural institutions can play a critical role in preserving rich languages and beautiful cultural norms of the African people.
“Today’s celebrations are a clear testimony to the fact that the NRM government took a step in the right direction to restore cultural institutions in 1994. This decision was made to guard our culture against negative foreign influences,” Mr Kivejinja said.
“The NRM government recognizes the significant role cultural institutions play in preserving our rich languages and beautiful cultural norms of the African people,” he added.
He also hailed Tooro Kingdom for contributing to national economic development.
“The people of Tooro act as both producers of goods consumed by all Ugandans and a market for the goods consumed by other people in other parts of Uganda. I, therefore, encourage you to consolidate and put to productive use the peace and stability which Uganda now enjoys from border to border. Since restoration, I thank the people of Tooro for their continued support to the NRM government and upholding the peace that was purchased at a high price by the gallant fighters of the NRA,” Mr Kivejinja said.
King Oyo, who ascended to the throne at the age of three, remains one of the world’s youngest ruling monarchs.
Earlier, the festivities got under way with cultural rituals that included the blessing of the royal drums, spears and the regalia by the 27-year-old king. The king sounded the royal drum to the tune of ‘amakondere’ royal dance for his subjects to dance as a sign of launching the Empango celebration.
Oyo ascended to the throne at the age of three years following the death of his father, Rukirabasaija Patrick David Matthew Kaboyo Rwamuhokya Olimi III.
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