The Omusuuga of Tooro Kingdom, Charles Mukarasi, has questioned the authority of the Kingdom's Prime Minister, Calvin Amstrong Rwomire, to announce the birth or arrival of a royal child. Mukarasi stated that such matters must follow the cultural and traditional procedures of the Babito. He emphasized that members of the royal family and other designated cultural leaders should be among the first people informed when a child is born to the King.
Mukarasi cited the birth of the late Omukama Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV as an example of how the process was handled. When Oyo was born, his father was serving in Cuba and was outside the country. The late King Kaboyo asked Mukarasi to visit the newborn and report back to him. Mukarasi went to see the newborn at the hospital and later gave King Kaboyo a report about the child, which was part of the cultural and traditional process followed by the Babito and Batooro.
The Omusuuga's remarks come amid questions surrounding the announcement and handling of information concerning the royal family. Mukarasi insisted that cultural procedures must be respected in matters concerning the Kingdom's royal lineage. The government, through the Minister of Gender, Labour and Social Development, Kuteesa, stated that the Obukama Bwa Tooro has formally requested the Ministry to declare and publish His Majesty Edward Rukidi Nyaboongo I as the Omukama of Tooro in the Uganda Gazette.
The request has been made under Section 5 of the Institution of Traditional or Cultural Leaders Act, 2011. The Ministry is now processing the Gazette publication in accordance with the law. The customary, constitutional and statutory process required for the transition and formal recognition of the new Omukama has therefore been satisfied. The traditional institutions have completed their part of the succession process, while the Government is processing the formal legal publication.
The spotlight shifts to Karuziika Palace, where Tooro will witness the coronation of its new King on September 29. The Minister says the coronation will be a significant cultural ceremony not only for the people of Tooro but also for Uganda's cultural tourism. The ceremony will bring together the people of Tooro, their cultural institutions, invited guests and other Ugandans to witness and celebrate the continuity of the Obukama Bwa Tooro.
President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni Tibuhaburwa will also be part of the historic occasion. According to the Government statement, President Museveni has personally informed the people of Tooro that he will honour their invitation and attend the coronation. His attendance will give the ceremony a major national dimension as Tooro prepares to officially welcome its new King.
With the big day approaching, Government has called upon Ugandans, particularly the people of Tooro to embrace the coronation in the spirit of peace, unity, dignity, respect and cultural harmony. All stakeholders have been urged to uphold the Constitution, laws of Uganda, and the customs and traditions of the people of Tooro.
Key points
- The Omusuuga of Tooro Kingdom, Charles Mukarasi, questions the Prime Minister's authority to announce the birth or arrival of a royal child.
- The government has formally cleared the late Oyo's successor king, Edward Rukidi Nyaboongo I, for coronation on September 29.
- President Yoweri Museveni will attend the coronation ceremony, giving it a major national dimension.
