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📸 Tooro leaders pledge to carry on King Oyo’s development agenda
Speaking about the loss at Humura Grounds in Kyegegwa district, Kenneth Bakkwatanisa, a priest at Ngange Church of Uganda in Humura Parish, described the King’s death as a sad moment for the region.
As Tooro mourns his death, political, religious and community leaders are pledging to preserve and advance the development agenda he championed during his reign. (Credit: Richard Sanya)
By: Ibrahim Ruhweza and Nelson Kiva, Journalists @New Vision
KYEGEGWA - The death of King Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV has left Tooro mourning the loss of a cultural leader whose reign was closely associated with development, youth empowerment, environmental conservation and the promotion of Tooro’s cultural identity.
King Oyo, who became Omukama of Tooro at the age of three, grew into one of Uganda’s most prominent traditional leaders.
Over the years, he used his position to champion development initiatives across the Tooro sub-region, encouraging young people to embrace agriculture, fight HIV/AIDS, protect the environment and work towards improving their livelihoods.
Grief etched on every face of the royal family as mourners gathered at Humura Playground in Kyegegwa District to bid farewell to Omukama Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV. (All Photos by Richard Sanya)
As Tooro mourns his death, political, religious and community leaders are pledging to preserve and advance the development agenda he championed during his reign.
For many of his admirers, King Oyo leaves behind more than a cultural institution. He leaves a development agenda that they say must continue to benefit the people of Tooro.
Speaking about the loss at Humura Grounds in Kyegegwa district, Kenneth Bakkwatanisa, a priest at Ngange Church of Uganda in Humura Parish, described the King’s death as a sad moment for the region.
“It’s a sad moment for the loss of the King. We had hopes in him to push the development agenda,” Bakkwatanisa said.
He recalled King Oyo’s efforts to inspire young people to engage in farming and participate in the fight against HIV/AIDS.
“He inspired young people to do farming and to fight against HIV. We shall keep on this pace,” he said.
Bakkwatanisa also praised the late King for his commitment to environmental conservation, saying Oyo encouraged communities to protect forests and increase tree planting.
“He protected the environment. He planted a tree at our school and also supported forests in our communities. He advocated for their conservation,” he said.
The priest said the King’s death had also come at a time when the church had hoped to involve him in an ambitious development project.
“We wanted to build a church of sh2 billion. We wanted him to do the groundbreaking, but the dream will remain alive,” Bakkwatanisa said.
The pledge to continue with King Oyo’s development agenda was also echoed by Sarah Kabarokole, the Woman Member of Parliament for Bunyangabu district.
Kabarokole said the King had contributed significantly to the visibility and development of the Tooro region and that his legacy should not be allowed to fade with his death.
“We pledge to push on the development agenda of King Oyo. He gave mileage to our region. We shall not forget,” she said.
She called on Parliament to join local leaders and communities in ensuring that the development initiatives championed during Oyo’s reign continue.
“We shall ask Parliament also to join,” Kabarokole added.
Irene Linda Mugisa, the Woman Member of Parliament for Fort Portal city, said political leaders would continue mobilising young people to embrace hard work, respect Tooro’s culture and fight poverty.
“We shall keep mobilising young people to respect the culture and work hard for the sake of alleviating themselves from poverty,” Mugisa said.
The priest said the King’s death had also come at a time when the church had hoped to involve him in an ambitious development project.
“We wanted to build a church of sh2 billion. We wanted him to do the groundbreaking, but the dream will remain alive,” Bakkwatanisa said.
The pledge to continue with King Oyo’s development agenda was also echoed by Sarah Kabarokole, the Woman Member of Parliament for Bunyangabu district.
Kabarokole said the King had contributed significantly to the visibility and development of the Tooro region and that his legacy should not be allowed to fade with his death.
“We pledge to push on the development agenda of King Oyo. He gave mileage to our region. We shall not forget,” she said.
She called on Parliament to join local leaders and communities in ensuring that the development initiatives championed during Oyo’s reign continue.
“We shall ask Parliament also to join,” Kabarokole added.
Irene Linda Mugisa, the Woman Member of Parliament for Fort Portal city, said political leaders would continue mobilising young people to embrace hard work, respect Tooro’s culture and fight poverty.
“We shall keep mobilising young people to respect the culture and work hard for the sake of alleviating themselves from poverty,” Mugisa said.
She noted that leaders had already been working towards the same objectives but said King Oyo’s death should inspire them to intensify their efforts.
“We have already been in the same line; however, we shall add in more efforts,” she said.
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As Tooro mourns his death, political, religious and community leaders are pledging to preserve and advance the development agenda he championed during his reign. (All Photos by Richard Sanya)
“We have already been in the same line; however, we shall add in more efforts,” she said.
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As Tooro mourns his death, political, religious and community leaders are pledging to preserve and advance the development agenda he championed during his reign. (All Photos by Richard Sanya)