Joyce Namugambe
The King of Tooro Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV has cautioned the land board in the Kingdom to demarcate the kingdom land and fully provide titles for Him and the kingdom to start the struggle against land grabbing in Tooro, since it is becoming a common practice.
While speaking to the congregation during His 28th Empango coronation anniversary celebrations held at the Karuzika Hill palace in fort Portal City, King Oyo advised people to endeavor planting trees on their land as a way of conserving the environment and protecting their land from being grabbed.
King Oyo explained the Kingdom’s 25-year development plan to transform the livelihood of his subjects. Key among the priorities King Oyo listed HIV/AIDS eradication, education through youth skilling, commercial agriculture, tourism and sports among others.
Speaking to the congregation during the coronation, the Deputy speaker of parliament Thomas Tayebwa has commended His Majesty the King Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukid IV for being a role model for the youth and the people of Tooro.
“His Majesty is an inspiration to the youth and his subjects on issues of unity, fighting against HIV/AIDS, environmental conservation among others. I thank God who has protected him, the Queen Mother and H.E Yoweri Museveni, who have been strong pillars for His Majesty.”said.
“ Now young people know they can fight AIDS because of you. They know they can protect the environment because of you. I have seen you’re planning to plant over 10 million trees, parliament pledges support. We are going to support you so that you can achieve this,” the deputy speaker noted.
Tayebwa pledged to personally join the Tooro King on his birthday to support his dream of planting UGX. 10 million trees to save the environment. However, He urged King Oyo to help his people move out of poverty through commercial agriculture. This will help to create a sustainable kingdom,” We need you as a partner in fighting poverty in the world”.
He urged the king and his leadership to sensitize the people against land fragmentation saying the practice, is rampant among the predominantly agriculture-dependent communities which threatens food security and is a source of poverty.”
The Deputy speaker of Buganda Lukiiko Owek Ahmed Lwasa on behalf of the kingdom of Buganda has pledged that the Kingdom will continue to work together with Tooro Kingdom for the good of both kingdoms.
Omuhiirwa wa Tooro Owek. Steven Kiyinji Amooti has pledged to spearhead the campaign for environmental conservation and commended the King for the tree planting campaign as well. Additionally, he commended news platforms that have spread news about the environmental conservation noting that their contribution has been positive.
The Dean of St. John Cathedral Kabarole the very Reverend Canon Ezra Musobozi has shown concern over the indiscipline and careless behaviors of the youth to an extent that they move half naked, a shaming the kingdom. He has as well challenged the youth who don’t understand the value of land and end up selling it to buy boda bodas.
Tooro Kingdom was founded in 1822 when Omukama Kaboyo Olimi I, the eldest son of Omukama of Bunyoro Kitara Kingdom, Nyamutukura Kyebambe III of Bunyoro, broke away and established his own independent kingdom. The Kingdom was part of the large empire of Kitara, under the reign of the Babiito dynasty, which dates back to the 16th century.
King Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV ascended to the throne after the death of his father King David Patrick Olimi Kaboyo, making him the youngest ruling monarch in the whole world.
