A mansion for the queen mother
Jun 30, 2004
THE atmosphere scented of regality at the opening of Toro queen mother, Best Kemigisa’s palace at Kitumba, Fort Portal recently.
By Raymond Baguma
THE atmosphere scented of regality at the opening of Toro queen mother, Best Kemigisa’s palace at Kitumba, Fort Portal recently.
The mansion valued at sh400m becomes the second ever to be built by a Toro queen mother - the first was built by King George Rukidi Kamurasi III’s mother, Adyeri Damalie.
The Kingdom royalty and loyalty both, attended. Having missed Oyo’s birthday in April, the King’s sister, Ruth Komuntale who studies in Libya and her aunt Princess Elizabeth Bagaya could not miss out this time.
Others present were Uganda’s ambassador to Libya William Hakiza, NRM-O interim chairman Moses Kigongo, Ministers Adolf Mwesige, Prof. Edward Rugumayo and Pastor K.L Dickson (never mind the exotic name) - he is Ugandan, born and bred and the queen mother’s brother-in-law.
“The generation to come should remember Best Kemigisa as a queen mother who built palaces and promoted the welfare of women in the Kingdom,†retired prelate, Eustace Kamanyire declared in a sermon.
“Palaces were a centre of Toro culture in the olden days. We pray that this palace continues to be a focus of our unity,†Kamanyire added.
The title of ‘Omukama’ in Runyoro-Rutoro means ‘the one who milks.’ Symbolically, the King milks for his people and feeds them.
It is from his mother’s palace that King Oyo will learn to play his role of Toro Kingdom’s chief milker. Little wonder that Oyo is fond of cows more than his German Shepherd dogs.
At the climax, the Kemigisa delivered an impassioned speech on the tribulations she overcame to build the palace since her husband, King Olimi Kaboyo’s demise. This was before the cake - in shape of a miniature house - was cut.
Next in line will be Princess Bagaya’s house-warming party soon to follow. Fort Portal’s socialities must be whetting their appetites for this.
In a message delivered by Minister Edward Rugumayo, President Museveni thanked Kemigisa for her well-played role of grooming the young king.
The chief guest Moses Kigongo declined to make any political statements for the reason that it was a cultural function and ‘kingdoms are non-partisan.’
This must have saved the young king who once intimated that he hates long speeches.
Later, the Kemigisa joined her Batuku tribemates and bounced to the Eriiba folk dance. It may have been 7pm, but the partying had just begun and it went on until the following morning.
THE atmosphere scented of regality at the opening of Toro queen mother, Best Kemigisa’s palace at Kitumba, Fort Portal recently.
The mansion valued at sh400m becomes the second ever to be built by a Toro queen mother - the first was built by King George Rukidi Kamurasi III’s mother, Adyeri Damalie.
The Kingdom royalty and loyalty both, attended. Having missed Oyo’s birthday in April, the King’s sister, Ruth Komuntale who studies in Libya and her aunt Princess Elizabeth Bagaya could not miss out this time.
Others present were Uganda’s ambassador to Libya William Hakiza, NRM-O interim chairman Moses Kigongo, Ministers Adolf Mwesige, Prof. Edward Rugumayo and Pastor K.L Dickson (never mind the exotic name) - he is Ugandan, born and bred and the queen mother’s brother-in-law.
“The generation to come should remember Best Kemigisa as a queen mother who built palaces and promoted the welfare of women in the Kingdom,†retired prelate, Eustace Kamanyire declared in a sermon.
“Palaces were a centre of Toro culture in the olden days. We pray that this palace continues to be a focus of our unity,†Kamanyire added.
The title of ‘Omukama’ in Runyoro-Rutoro means ‘the one who milks.’ Symbolically, the King milks for his people and feeds them.
It is from his mother’s palace that King Oyo will learn to play his role of Toro Kingdom’s chief milker. Little wonder that Oyo is fond of cows more than his German Shepherd dogs.
At the climax, the Kemigisa delivered an impassioned speech on the tribulations she overcame to build the palace since her husband, King Olimi Kaboyo’s demise. This was before the cake - in shape of a miniature house - was cut.
Next in line will be Princess Bagaya’s house-warming party soon to follow. Fort Portal’s socialities must be whetting their appetites for this.
In a message delivered by Minister Edward Rugumayo, President Museveni thanked Kemigisa for her well-played role of grooming the young king.
The chief guest Moses Kigongo declined to make any political statements for the reason that it was a cultural function and ‘kingdoms are non-partisan.’
This must have saved the young king who once intimated that he hates long speeches.
Later, the Kemigisa joined her Batuku tribemates and bounced to the Eriiba folk dance. It may have been 7pm, but the partying had just begun and it went on until the following morning.