Buganda kingdom to set up zoo
May 20, 2010
BUGANDA kingdom is to set up a mini zoo to showcase animals that represent its totems. The zoo will be established at Lubiri, the palatial home of the Kabaka, Ronald Muwenda Mutebi.
By Taddeo Bwambale
BUGANDA kingdom is to set up a mini zoo to showcase animals that represent its totems, an official has said.
The zoo will be established at Lubiri, the palatial home of the Kabaka, Ronald Muwenda Mutebi.
Florence Kiyingi, the Buganda tourism minister, said the kingdom had been granted permission by the Uganda Wildlife Authority to keep the wild animals.
“The zoo will have all the young animals that symbolise our totems. We are taking advantage of our proximity to wildlife authorities to promote our cultural heritage.â€
She said clan members would have the opportunity to see some of the wild animals during the event.
The zoology department will provide specimen of the animals that will not have been obtained.
There are over 50 clans in Buganda and each of them has a totem, except the royal clan, Abalangira.
Kiyingi made the disclosure while addressing journalists at the launch of the Buganda Tourism Expo 2010 at Hotel Africana on Wednesday.
The event will take place between June 28 and July 14. It aims at promoting cultural tourism in Buganda and Uganda, Kiyingi said.
Thousands are expected to attend the event, which will also be used to unveil investment opportunities in the country.
Kiyingi urged Ugandans to visit heritage sites to learn more about their culture.
She thanked the Government for supporting cultural events in the kingdom.
Some of the planned activities include opening of the royal gardens for public viewing, a food expo, an exhibition of herbal medicine, traditional music, performances from schools and a cultural show by tribes from all over the world.
The kingdom has also set up a website to promote the event in the diaspora.
The occasion will also focus on reconstruction of Kasubi tombs, a world heritage site that was destroyed by fire two months ago.
Some of the money generated during the expo will be used in the reconstruction, an official said.
BUGANDA kingdom is to set up a mini zoo to showcase animals that represent its totems, an official has said.
The zoo will be established at Lubiri, the palatial home of the Kabaka, Ronald Muwenda Mutebi.
Florence Kiyingi, the Buganda tourism minister, said the kingdom had been granted permission by the Uganda Wildlife Authority to keep the wild animals.
“The zoo will have all the young animals that symbolise our totems. We are taking advantage of our proximity to wildlife authorities to promote our cultural heritage.â€
She said clan members would have the opportunity to see some of the wild animals during the event.
The zoology department will provide specimen of the animals that will not have been obtained.
There are over 50 clans in Buganda and each of them has a totem, except the royal clan, Abalangira.
Kiyingi made the disclosure while addressing journalists at the launch of the Buganda Tourism Expo 2010 at Hotel Africana on Wednesday.
The event will take place between June 28 and July 14. It aims at promoting cultural tourism in Buganda and Uganda, Kiyingi said.
Thousands are expected to attend the event, which will also be used to unveil investment opportunities in the country.
Kiyingi urged Ugandans to visit heritage sites to learn more about their culture.
She thanked the Government for supporting cultural events in the kingdom.
Some of the planned activities include opening of the royal gardens for public viewing, a food expo, an exhibition of herbal medicine, traditional music, performances from schools and a cultural show by tribes from all over the world.
The kingdom has also set up a website to promote the event in the diaspora.
The occasion will also focus on reconstruction of Kasubi tombs, a world heritage site that was destroyed by fire two months ago.
Some of the money generated during the expo will be used in the reconstruction, an official said.