Bishop Kisembo was speaking at celebrations to mark 25 years of King Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV on the throne. King Oyo ascended to the throne on September 12, 1995 at the age of three following the death of his father, Patrick Matthew Kaboyo Olimi VII in August 1995.
The Bishop of Ruwenzori Diocese Reuben Kisembo has asked the people of Tooro to desist from selling land to foreigners especially this time when Fort Portal has been elevated to a tourism city. He urged them to use the land for development purposes in order to get out of poverty.
Bishop Kisembo was speaking at celebrations to mark 25 years of King Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV on the throne. King Oyo ascended to the throne on September 12, 1995, at the age of three following the death of his father, Patrick Matthew Kaboyo Olimi VII in August 1995.
Being a minor, King Oyo was placed under the guardianship of several people, namely: President Yoweri Museveni, his mother Best Kemigisa, his aunt Princess Elizabeth Bagaya, and Kabaka Ronald Muwenda Mutebi of Buganda.
Unlike the previous years, there were no cultural ceremonies performed during this Silver Jubilee celebrations and the event was attended by very few people who had been issued with invitation letters as a way of preventing the spread of COVID-19.
For his part, King Oyo started by regretting the cancellation of the World Monarchs' Summit that was scheduled to take place this month. He explained that the event could not go on as planned due to COVID-19 outbreak but announced that it will instead be held in July 2023 at the Fort Portal palace.
The king also pledged to start model farms for farmers in the kingdom to enable them to learn improved methods of farming.
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He reiterated his plans of ensuring that all wetlands in the kingdom are restored and protected from encroachment.
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The Prime Minister of Uganda, Dr Ruhakana Rugunda, who represented President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, said that government is embarking on infrastructure development in Tooro to enable the king and the residents in the kingdom achieve economic development without any hindrance.
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During the event, MTN Uganda signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the kingdom pledging to start giving unconditional financial support of 350 million Shillings per year to the Kingdom. The telecom giant also donated 10,000 face masks that will be distributed in the kingdom and 80 beds with their mattresses and blankets that will be allocated to different hospitals by the kingdom officials.
Joseph Bogera, the MTN General Manager Sales and Distribution said the collaboration is aimed at supporting the kingdom to meet its different obligations like supporting health centres among others.
The Saturday event was, among others, attended by the United Nations – UN representatives in the country; State Minister of Culture, Peace Mutuuzo; the Uganda Industrial Research Institute Executive director, Charles Kwesiga, religious, political and cultural leaders from different parts of the country
Christopher Tusiime
Guest