Toro Kingdom historian Muhanga laid to rest

It was grief in Kanyandahi, Rutete sub-county as Toro's great historian Charles Karugaba Muhanga was being laid to rest.

Muhanga, 72, passed away on Saturday at his ancestral home in Futi Butangwa in Fort Portal City.

He was the chief adviser to Omukama Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru on cultural affairs and a chief guide at the Karuzika Royal Palace.

Harriet Nyakake the Toro kingdom deputy prime minister described Muhanga as a committed, dedicated advisor and a great pillar in Toro.

"He had all the history about Toro kingdom, he was dedicated to serving his kingdom and he also took time to share his knowledge with the young generation on radios in the kingdom," Nyakake said.

She said that his death has robbed Toro of a mentor who was a dedicated, intellectual, intelligent, and resourceful person and above all, an encyclopaedia on kingdom affairs.

"Muhanga was a strong monarchist who believed in traditional institutions as the basis of building a modern society. He believed the destruction of traditional institutions and culture was the reason many nations of Africa experienced political turmoil and economic retrogression," she said.

Vincent Mugume the kingdom deputy information minister said that the deceased was one of the people who fought tirelessly for the restoration of Bunyoro Kitara Kingdom.

Muhanga was born in 1948 he started serving Toro kingdom in 1996 after seeking early retirement from public service.

His sister MP Margret Muhanga described the deceased as a humble person who loved advising and associating with people, adding that he played a pivotal role in nurturing them when their father died.

"He cherished peace love and unity and he loved everyone regardless of the age as a family we have lost a strong pillar in our family," Muhanga said.

Vincent Mugume the deputy kingdom information minister said that Karugaba had served the kingdom in different capacities for over 20 years.

"He was a very instrumental man who agitated for the restoration of Toro kingdom and he loved his culture. He served Toro selflessly and above all he cherished peace and unity," Mugume said.

"'The Encyclopaedia of Toro' as Muhanga was referred to by many, served as the chief guide of the palace culturally known as Kibale and was also part of the delegation that agitated for the restoration of the kingdom," Mugume said.

He added that Muhanga authored some books about the history of the kingdom and some of them have not yet been published.