Toro Kingdom has said that the focus of this year’s 28th coronation anniversary of King Oyo Kabamba Iguru will be on promoting good health and environmental conservation.

Kingdom spokesperson Patrick Bamanyisa says as the King’s subjects gear up for his coronation, Oyo is challenging, especially the youth, to live a responsible life by guarding against HIV.

“The King emphasizes the issue of a healthy population and he will only be happy to reign over healthy subjects because that is the only way to ensure the continuity of the Toro culture,” Bamanyisa told New Vision Online on Wednesday

King Oyo being a youth, wants his generation to live a responsible and productive life that is free from HIV, according to Bamanyisa.

Currently, the HIV prevalence in Fort Portal is reported to be at 18%.

“The youths should guard against HIV because the moment one is infected, the implication is that the body system will be compromised thereby affecting one’s ability to be productive” Bamanyisa said.

The royal regalia being brought before the king for a blessing

Environment

About the environment, Bamanyisa said the King is also greatly concerned about the increasing levels of plastic pollution, especially in water catchment areas.

Bamanyisa also disclosed that the Kingdom administration has embarked on a 10 million tree planting campaign as part of the activities to commemorate the King’s 28th coronation anniversary.

“50,000 trees have so far been planted in the Kingdom counties of Mwenge and Kyaka to be able to restore the lost natural vegetation cover,” he said.

Traditional rituals during empango

Culture promotion

Kingdom deputy prime minister Harriet Nyakake called for the restoration of cultural norms and values at the family level.

Nyakake has specifically stressed the restoration of ekyooto counselling sessions (the fireplace) at the family level.

According to Nyakake ekyooto initially acted as a bedrock of family stability as it worked as a platform for which families traditionally discussed and solved their internal grievances

 “Ekyooto is very key platform for all family members to gather as they plan and advise each other accordingly. It is during ekyooto that family grievances can openly be discussed and resolved. Ekyooto unites all family members and inculcates discipline among the young” Nyakake said.