The King of Tooro, Omukama Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV is in Kigezi region on a visit aimed at strengthening the ties between Tooro and Kigezi.

He was on Thursday afternoon welcomed by thousands of people at Satelite Hotel in Rwahi, Ntungamo district.

The Tooro kingdom head then proceeded to the home of the legendary Munyakigezi elder, the late Paul Ngorogoza.

Ngorogoza, a former administrator in colonial Kigezi is remembered for establishing good relations with the former Tooro king George Rukiidi who in 1954 granted the people of Kigezi land in Tooro free of charge to settle on.

Currently, Tooro kingdom is home to a lot of people who migrated from Kigezi following population pressure in their area.

Oyo’s visit is organised by the International Community of Banyakigezi (ICOB) -Uganda Chapter, an association of people from the greater Kigezi region in the Diaspora and the Banyakigezi-Rwenzori Association.

According to Grace Mutebile, the ICOB-Uganda president, this visit is important to them since Tooro and Kigezi have a lot to celebrate together.

“We have had tremendous achievements as communities due to the good relations founded by our former leaders. We felt it important to host the Tooro king so that our people appreciate the efforts of his grandfather to allow us settle in his area,” said Mutebile.

Richard Twinamatsiko Rwamahe, the Banyakigezi-Rwenzori Association chairperson hailed Tooro residents for embracing Banyakigezi in their land without segregation.

“If you find us in Tooro, you cannot even assume that we are not the original custodians of this area. We have been fully recognised in that region, we own great investments there and the peace we enjoy in that land is worthy appreciating,” he said.

The Rukiga district Chairperson, Dr. Alexander Kampikaho excited the crowd when he used the platform to call for more inter-marriages between the Banyakigezi and Batooro to strengthen further the relations between the communities.

“I want to state it that Kigezi has very beautiful girls and handsome men. Allow us to use these good attributes in our people to get more crossovers to your land.  I can guarantee that there is no better way to have us united than having these marriages possible,” said Kampikaho.

Caroline Kamusiime Muhwezi, the Rukiga district Woman Member of Parliament called for peaceful co-existence amongst people of different tribes.

“I have always told you that it is usually not about one’s tribe because we all need each other. Our peaceful co-existence will see us prosper if we work together,” said Muhwezi.

Peace Regis Mutuuzo, the State Minister for Gender and Culture who represented the Prime Minister of Uganda, Dr. Ruhakana Rugunda said that government is committed to ensuring the development of cultural institutions in the country.

“Our history is important and thus it can best be preserved if we respect our cultural institutions. The NRM government has created an environment that has made this possible and we will continue doing that,” said Mutuuzo.

King Oyo being a UN ambassador on combating HIV/AIDS is expected on Friday to deliver a key message on prevention and responsible living.

Later, the king will be hosted to a cultural interaction also known as ‘ekigaaniiro’ involving elders and youngsters from Kigezi and Tooro.

King Oyo and his delegation shall also visit Lake Bunyonyi to appreciate its unique beauty.

 

The post Tooro-Kigezi Relations Celebrated As Oyo Visits Kigezi first appeared on ChimpReports.