Bunyoro Kingdom seeks sh400m for Omukama’s 31st coronation

____________________

Preparations are underway in Bunyoro-Kitara Kingdom (BKK) to commemorate the 31st coronation anniversary of Omukama Solomon Gafabusa Iguru I.

Omukama Iguru was enthroned as King of Bunyoro-Kitara in 1994 after the NRM government restored cultural institutions. These institutions had been abolished by President Dr Apollo Milton Obote, then Prime Minister of Uganda, on September 17, 1967.

According to Alex Katusabe, the kingdom’s chief administrative secretary, BKK is currently seeking over sh400 million to fund various celebratory activities.

He noted that events such as the Empango marathon, whose proceeds will go towards procuring cancer screening machines for Hoima Regional Referral Hospital, the Bunyoro native food festival, a golf tournament, and a thanksgiving church service for the Omukama will be held in the lead-up to the main celebration on June 11, 2025.

He added that Omukama Iguru will not perform cultural rituals due to ill health, and that Kingdom subjects will instead commemorate the day he was enthroned.

“We are only going to celebrate the 31 years since our king was enthroned; we are not going to have Empango; these two things are different,” he said.

Last year, Omukama Iguru did not appear at the function, with kingdom officials attributing his absence to his health condition.

During the celebrations, guests are treated to various cultural performances, including dances, drama, and poetry recitals. The event typically attracts thousands of kingdom subjects and guests, including fellow kings and government officials from within and beyond the kingdom, at the Karuziika Palace.

Speaking in an interview on May 23, 2025, from his office, Katusabe stated that they are currently mobilising funds for the celebration and expect support from corporate companies operating within the kingdom, the central government, and kingdom subjects both locally and abroad.

He added that President Museveni is expected to grace the function, noting that an invitation has already been sent to him and other guests.

Andrew Byakutaga, the kingdom’s prime minister, said that a stakeholders’ meeting to plan the celebrations was launched last week. He called on Kingdom subjects to make positive contributions towards the coronation anniversary and to turn up in large numbers for the function.