By Ramadhan Rajab in Tooro, Uganda
King Rukiraba Saija Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV has taken over Uganda’s Tooro Kingdom on his 15th coronation.
The ceremony in Fort Portal in Western Uganda District attracted African monarchs and cultural leaders and coincided with his graduation from teenage to adulthood.
He turned 18 on April 16. Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni, Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi and king of Buganda-Ronald Muwenda Mutebi have been acting as regents for the king since he took over at the age of three and half from his father King Patrick Oyo Olimi 15 years ago.
King Oyo, 18, (right) when he took over Tooro leadership. READ MOREODM should forge forward in unity as Raila taught us Wanga and Magwanga rift to tilt Homa Bay political ground ahead of 2027 Ruto hints at 2027 alliance with ODM Wanga urges residents to shun critics as feud with deputy Magwanga deepens |
Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni with a guest at the crowning ceremony. Photos: Ramadhan Rajab/Standard |
Grown up
"For now as a grown up, I will serve my people on my own, making independent decisions. It is a challenge but I’m ready to take it up," King Oyo told The Standard in an interview in Tooro Palace in Fort Portal.
"Now, we’ve got an active king. Before, he was a figure head who did not make decisions because he was a minor and maybe, the regents have not been performing to his satisfaction," Mr Musinguzi Jotham, 20, said.
The royal family shared Jotham’s view. They described the ceremony as a dream come true, saying it would stir cultural growth in the kingdom.
assumed role
"I have seen King Oyo as a baby when he assumed kingship at three and now, when he assumes full kingship, we are all excited," Princess Margaret Kombezi, an aunt, told The Standard.
The Kenyan delegation to the ceremony included King Peter Mumia Nabongo, who was enthroned last month, and cultural leaders from the House of Traditional Elders of Kenya led by chairman Kamlesh Pattni.
Others were Mijikenda Kaya elder Charo Menza Tuva, senior Kikuyu elder Samuel Mwangi Thuita and the Borana elder Mohamed Haji.
The Tooro Kingdom is a breakaway from Bunyoro-Kitara Kingdom, one of the oldest in Africa, one time stretching as far as Ituri District in northern district of DRC.
Currently, King Oyo’s kingdom encompasses seven districts in Uganda, with an estimated population of 3.5 million people.
Majority are typical African peasants, whom the king wants to transform from subsistence to commercial farming.
King Oyo said: "I am going to make sure that I transform this kingdom into a major cultural and tourist attraction site. I will make sure I brand it fully."
Uganda has five kingdoms, constitutionally recognised, and several chiefdoms that get financial support from the government.
Major duties of the kingdoms is to protect and promote cultural heritage, arbitrate family disputes, preserve traditional norms, help the central government in collecting revenue and carrying out investments.
