King Oyo rallies Kampala subjects on unity, cultural preservation
Toro King Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV graced the occasion, highlighting the importance of unity and cultural preservation among the Batooro people in urban areas.
Prime Minister of Tooro, Calvin Armstrong Rwomiire, Princess Ruth Komuntale Akiiki and King Oyo Nyimba speaking at the function (Photos by Isaac Nuwagaba)
By Isaac Nuwagaba
Journalists @New Vision
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The Batooro community in Kampala came together to celebrate their cultural heritage at the Batooro Kampala Cultural Day ceremony, which was organised at Reach A Hand Uganda offices in Lungujja, Rubaga division.
Toro King Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV graced the occasion, highlighting the importance of unity and cultural preservation among the Batooro people in urban areas.
The event showcased the rich cultural traditions of the Batooro people, including their music, dance and customs. The King emphasised the need for his subjects, especially the youth, to embrace and value their cultural identity.
This message resonates with the kingdom's efforts to promote cultural tourism and economic development through events like the Ekyooto Ha Mpango Festival.
This year's festival marked a milestone, commemorating 30 years since King Oyo's enthronement. The event drew thousands of attendees and featured performances by top artists, including George William Kigozi aka Geosteady, Daxx Kartel and Allan Ampaire aka Allan Toniks.
Toro Kingdom celebrated its Cultural Day with a grand ceremony, marking not only the kingdom's rich heritage but also the launch of Impact Forge, an initiative designed to empower young social entrepreneurs across Uganda.
Investing in the youth
Oyo emphasised during the event organised at Reach A Hand Uganda (RAHU) offices in Lungujja, Rubaga division, Kampala city, the importance of investing in the youth, citing their potential as innovators, creators and change-makers.
King Oyo said the Forge Initiative aims to incubate and support young entrepreneurs and provide them with the tools and networks necessary to design solutions for the challenges facing their communities.
“As King, I have always placed young people at the centre of my 25-year development agenda, and I am pleased to see an organisation like RAHU championing the same cause. In Kabarole and Toro at large, we have walked this journey together through projects like Right Here Right Now (RHRN) and other initiatives that over the past 10 years have transformed lives, challenged harmful norms, and opened new opportunities for young people,” he said.
All these have been strategic partnerships of civil society organisations dedicated to ensuring that all young people in Tooro have access to sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) services and information, Oyo disclosed.
“These achievements are proof that when we invest in youth, we invest in the future of our nation,” he emphasised.
Collaboration for youth development
The King reaffirmed his commitment to working with RAHU and other partners to strengthen the movement for youth empowerment in Toro Kingdom.
Oyo emphasised that culture is dynamic and youthful, and by blending cultural heritage with innovation and entrepreneurship, the Tooro Kingdom and Uganda can write a new story where young people lead with confidence, creativity, and courage.
Komuntale decry bad cultural practices
Tooro Kingdom Princess Ruth Komuntale has spoken out against practising female genital mutilation (FGM), which she said compromises the dignity of girls in African societies that practise the cultural norm and custom.
Komuntale emphasised the importance of preserving positive values in African cultures while rejecting practices that harm women and girls if Uganda is to create a society that respects heritage, humanity, and identity.
“You need as youth to desist from carrying forward traditional practices that demean women and the young people in our societies. Preserve only the positive values in traditional cultures which are respect, unity, compassion and resilience,” Komuntale advised.
This involves education of both girls and boys to be able to break vicious cycles of poverty in African families, she noted.
“In a special way, I want to commend the work done by RHRN with its programs which aim to create a favourable environment where young people can freely make choices about their sexuality and claim their rights in an inclusive and rights-based society,” Komuntale added.
Humphrey Nabimanya, the chief executive officer, Reach a Hand Uganda, said it was the reason they launched a celebration of dignity, culture, and creativity that empowers young women to stand tall and proud.
“Leesu Initiative was launched here to empower the girl child and make her considered in all cultural decisions for an inclusive society,” Nabimanya said.
Together, we have celebrated culture through E’Kyoto Ha Mpango, a traditional ceremony and the Tooro Youth Summit, both of which highlighted the power of culture and community in shaping the future.
Nabimanya pledged commitment to promoting cultural tourism in partnership with the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO), helping young people take pride in their heritage while embracing opportunities in a global world.