Attendees at the premiere of the "Tuko Pamoja: Tooro Segment" on April 6, 2024, at Ndere Center in Kampala were urged to delve deeper into research about their origins, history, and the backgrounds of their places of residence to gain a better understanding of their unity.

During discussions with attendees, George William Baguma, the Zambian consul to Uganda and one of the founders of Quality Chemicals Limited, alluded to the distorted history perpetuated by colonial masters. He emphasised the need to rectify this narrative and advocated for Africans to reclaim their own stories.

"I must correct some misconceptions here. Our history has been inaccurately portrayed by the colonisers, with the intention of disconnecting Africans from their roots. It's imperative that we rewrite our history from our own perspective. Let's conduct thorough research into our own history to trace our origins and truly comprehend our identities," he asserted.

Baguma further emphasised the importance of understanding the meanings behind the names of places, clans, and other cultural elements, as they hold significant clues about African heritage. For instance, he explained that nansana, a Lunyoro word meaning "He looks like me," sheds light on the historical connections between Bunyoro and Buganda.

He also recounted the significance of the Mamba clan in Buganda, known as "Bazzukulu ba gabunga," which stems from the term okubungu, meaning visiting in Bunyoro. This narrative traces back to a Bunyoro prince's visit to Buganda, with his descendants identifying themselves as "the descendants of the visitor."

Baguma urged the Ministry of Education and Sports to overhaul the history curriculum in Uganda, advocating for a shift from the colonial narrative to an authentic portrayal of Ugandan history by Ugandans themselves. He argued that the initial theories about tribal divisions were tools employed to obscure the true identity of Ugandans, and by teaching future generations the accurate historical account, they would gain a deeper understanding of their heritage and identity.

About Tooro Segment

The segment recounts the genesis of the Tooro Kingdom, which emerged from the separation of Bunyoro-Kitara in 1830. The kingdom was founded by Kaboyo Kasusu Nkwanzi, a Munyoro prince and the eldest son of Omukama Nyamutukura Kyebambe III of Bunyoro.

Initially stationed as the Okwiri (chief Prince) in Mwenge county, present-day Kyenjojo district, Kaboyo's journey to Tooro and Busongora counties to collect taxes took an unexpected turn when he became enamored with the abundant beauty of the land, its women, and its natural resources. Refusing to return home, Kaboyo chose to defy his father and establish the Tooro Kingdom.

However, the repercussions of Kaboyo's rebellion reverberated through generations. His sons, inheriting the precedent of defiance, succumbed to internal strife, resulting in fatal power struggles for the throne upon Kaboyo's demise. Additionally, his son Nyaika Kasunga's aggressive actions, such as raiding Mwenge county and seizing Omukama Kabaleega's cattle, escalated tensions, leading to Bunyoro's conquest of Tooro.

In the face of Bunyoro's dominance, Prince Kasagama, sought refuge in Ankore Kingdom and later in Buganda Kingdom. It was during this period of exile that he encountered British imperialist Captain Fredrick Lugard, whose intervention ultimately facilitated Kasagama's restoration to the Tooro throne.

The narrative emphasises the pivotal role of British intervention and Kasagama's collaboration in reshaping Tooro's fate. Without these external forces, Tooro might have remained an integral part of Bunyoro, and the subsequent division among siblings, who share common praise names (empaako), may not have occurred, highlighting the interconnectedness of these "tribes" as a single people.

The other segments are tipped to premiere at Ndere Center following the schedules below ;

Luo Segment - Saturday, April 20, 2024 at Ndere Center, 3:00-8:00 pm.

Kigezi Segment - Saturday May 4, 2024 at Ndere Center, 3:00-8:00 pm.

West Nile Segment - Saturday, May, 11, 2024 at Ndere Center, 3:00-8:00 pm.

Breakaway Kindgoms - Saturday, May 18, 2024 at Ndere Center, 3:00-8:00 pm.

Rwenzori Segment - Saturday, May 25, 2024 at Ndere Center, 3:00-8:00 pm.

Uganda: The Making of a Nation - Saturday, June 1, 2024 at Ndere Center, 3:00-8:00 pm.