By Taddeo Bwambale

KING Mswati of Swaziland is among the 100 cultural leaders expected to attend the 18th birthday and coronation celebrations of the king of Toro, Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV, this weekend.

Foreign dignitaries who will travel to Fort Portal in Kabarole for the grand celebrations will also include several chiefs and traditional leaders from Nigeria, Morocco, Lesotho and Japan. Also expected is Libyan leader Col. Muammar Gadaffi.

Addressing journalists at the Media Centre yesterday, the information minister of Toro kingdom, Arthur Namara, said the four-day event, which starts tomorrow, will be marked by a series of activities such as tree planting and donations made by the king in Mubende district on his way to Fort Portal. The kingdom, according to Namara, needs about sh820m for the fete.

King Oyo, who was crowned 15 years ago at the age of three, will be taking over the administration of the kingdom from the regents who have helped him since the death of his father, Patrick Olimi Kaboyo II.
State minister for cultural affairs Rukia Nakadama promised Government support to the kingdom.

She said the Government will continue according the king privileges, such as security and transport facilitation, in addition to a palace that was built for him. She thanked the royal family and regents for taking care of the youthful king.

The celebrations will feature several cultural activities, including the ‘Empango Hakaswa,’ which will involve sounding of royal drums, and the ‘Ekorogi ya Hamusango,’ the royal milking ceremony in which the king is given fresh milk. Guests will also be treated to fireworks display and the traditional dance Amakondere.

The Saturday coronation anniversary will be preceded by the celebration of the king’s birthday on Friday beginning with a church service.

President Museveni, Vice-President Gilbert Bukenya, Chief Justice Benjamin Odoki, Speaker Edward Sekandi and other government officials are expected to attend. Guests will also be treated to a traditional lunch, known as Kwinura.

After this, the youthful king will host a party named “Kasiki” in which he will be saying goodbye to childhood.

The celebrations will be concluded on Sunday, with the ‘Omukama Omurugo,’ a ceremony where the Toro king assumes judicial powers of cultural disputes related to the royal family. A special meal called “Oruhango Rwa Nyakacaki”, the Toro royal luncheon which is prepared by the Abakurungu clan, will be served. Traditionally, the king’s food is not prepared by women.

Meanwhile, the princess of Toro has organised a workshop on Friday to showcase the culture of the Batoro.

Others featuring at the workshop will be the Mugabe Kaijuka Foundation, which supports the education of youth, and the Nassal natural products, aimed at promoting the growth and safe use of indigenous medicines based on ancient African knowledge.