Tooro coronation to unfold through night of royal rituals
In Fort Portal city, preparations are underway, with major facilities, including roundabouts and key entry points to the city, being decorated with backcloth and traditional regalia.
The main roundabout in Fort Portal and several other areas decorated in traditional regalia. (Photo by Wilson Asiimwe)
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Tooro Kingdom is gearing up for the coronation of king-in-waiting Prince Edward Rukidi Kijanangoma, with major activities scheduled to begin at midnight.
In Fort Portal city, preparations are underway, with major facilities, including roundabouts and key entry points to the city, being decorated with backcloth and traditional regalia.
Mzee Abwooli Karoozi, the Tooro kingdom chief priest, known as Omusuna, said all ritual performers had been assembled ahead of the coronation.
"A lot of rituals have been taking place since the Omukama was declared, only that some are private while others are public. At midnight, we shall start the coronation activities," Karoozi said.
According to Karoozi, the term "Empango" refers to both the festival and the royal drums played during the event.
"All the items which we shall use have been cleaned using stones and smeared with cow ghee so that they can look nice and we call them Amahango," Karoozi said.
"This festival focuses on the Omukama and the royal regalia. On the eve of Empango, members of the Basiita clan present the royal drums to the king, who strikes each one nine times. They then lead a procession to the kingdom's hill, known as Akaswa ka Tooro, to announce the official start of Empango," he added.
Karoozi said the rituals would be performed at night, when the crown prince is expected to turn over the royal drum Butwarane and sound it nine times, signifying that he has taken over the administrative roles of the kingdom.
"Since Omukama Oyo died, Butwarane has been upside down, and it's only the new king who has to overturn it and drum it nine times," said Kaijabwango Mijubi, a resident of Rwengoma.
According to Mijumbi, the main day of the festival, which falls on Tuesday, includes a thanksgiving service, the presentation of regalia, a royal court gathering, cultural performances and a public address.
"All the important rituals will be at night, and today we are only seeing speeches, presentation of the royal regalia, thanksgiving and cultural performances," he added.
What is expected at midnight
According to Musuuga Charles Kamurasi, the head of the Babiito royal clan, the coronation rituals will start at midnight.
"We shall all start our journey at Rwengoma Palace, which is about four kilometres from Fort Portal town to the Karuzika Palace," he said.
Kamurasi said that, together with the crown prince, they would encounter a mock resistance at the palace entrance from a rival prince, who would be defeated before the crown prince enters the palace.
"After that mock war, the rival prince will take off, and the crown prince will enter the compound of the palace, and the rituals will immediately start. After that, he will enter the palace and be served his lunch," Kamurasi said.
Richard Rwabuhinga, a member of the organising committee, said President Yoweri Museveni is expected to attend the coronation as the chief guest. Invitations have also been extended to traditional leaders from Uganda and other countries, political leaders, members of the business community, academia and the general public.
Prince Rukidi Kijanangoma was selected by the Babiito ruling clan as the successor to the late Oyo Nyimba Kabamba, who died in August at age 34.