Toro Kingdom has kicked off the 28th coronation anniversary celebrations for King Oyo Kabamba Iguru with traditional rituals at Karuzika hill in Fort Portal city.

The coronation anniversary, which is traditionally known as Empango, is celebrated every September 12. The celebration marks the day when King Oyo ascended to the throne at the age of three years.

On Monday, the King personally sounded on each of the drums that were presented to him nine times.

In a very unique way, one of the royal drums was on Monday presented by five-year-old Desmond Baguma.

King Oyo’s loyalists chanted songs of praise while proclaiming their everlasting allegiance to him.

The joyful subjects of King Oyo dancing to the tune of Amakondere.

The entire royal regalia that include drums, spears and shields was presented to the King for a blessing as he touched on each of them.

“The King blesses the royal drums by sounding them nine times each while for the spears and the shields, he only touches them with his right hand” Mwesige Zebidayo, the Kingdom Minister in charge of culture and clan mobilisation told New Vision Online.

The royal regalia is traditionally cleansed first and later brought before the reigning King for a blessing according to Mwesige.

The ritual of milking the King’s favourite cow was also performed.