Dr. King Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV, the Royal majesty of Tooro Kingdom in Fortportal tourism city, western Uganda on the eve of his 26th Coronation celebrations launched the Kingdom’s Vision 2045 for the socio-economic development, transformation and prosperity for the Tooro people as he also unveiled the Ekyooto Ha Mpango annual cultural tourism Festival projected towards diversifying Fortportal’s tourism products.
This Festival comes at the time His Royal Majesty King Oyo, also one of the youngest monarchs in the whole world concludes his 25th year on the throne as his reign climaxes on the silver jubilee and starts off yet another great year of achievements during the 26th Coronation celebrations at the Karuzika Palace situated on Karuzika hill in Fortportal tourism city this Sunday September 12th.
During the vision launch ceremony, King Oyo outlined a 25 year development agenda with 8 focus key areas pointing at; culture, agriculture, environment conservation, health, ending HIV/Aids by 2030, redevelop the tourism cluster in Fortportal so as to attract more tourists, create employment, harness on digital technologies, improve livelihoods through tourism, impart professional skills plus create intercultural partnership for tackling the pressing challenges and achieving sustainable development in the region.
Dr. King Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV while launching vision 045 for the socio-economic development, transformation and prosperity for the Tooro people on the eve of his 26th Coronation celebrations at the Karuzika Palace in Fortportal tourism city.
The Ekyooto Ha Mpango annual Cultural Tourism Festival running under the theme ‘’Harnessing the Power of your Culture’’ will be a benchmark to promoting domestic tourism and Tooro Kingdom as the tourism hub of Uganda to run for 4 consecutive days from launch date September 11th – 14 and to include activities such as; Sporting activities comprising a Boat Regatta and Marathon, Royal tour as Royals from different Kingdoms traverse key destinations in Tooro region, food and cultural treats, public visits to different tourism sites and attractions , business clinics centred on Tourism and its value chain businesses, Ekyooto Ha Mpango Expo, cycling activities and Ekyooto Ha Mpango Virtual concert.
While addressing guests and delegates on the eve of the 26th Coronation celebrations on Saturday, His Royal Majesty King Oyo emphasized on promoting Tourism in Tooro region as a vehicle towards economic growth, job creation and improved livelihoods among subjects of the Tooro Kingdom and also as part of Vision 2045 urging that the Kingdom will focus on developing and tapping vast opportunities in the tourism sector.
He said, ‘’Tooro is a very beautiful Kingdom as gifted by Nature. The Tooro region is blessed with abundant wildlife, rare birdlife species, breathtaking landscapes, waterfalls and caves, not forgetting the picturesque glaciated snow-capped Mountain Rwenzori, scenic crater lakes, impenetrable forests, incredible weather, a unique culture and very hospitable locals’’.
King Oyo added that, ‘’We shall promote and support Tourism as an important vehicle for the integration, empowerment and generating income for rural communities and people in the informal economy or in micro, small and medium enterprises, which employ a high proportion of women and young people. We shall also take advantage of the massive opportunities resulting from the elevation of Fortportal as the Tourism City of destination Uganda for the prosperity of the people and Tooro Kingdom as a whole’’.
He also revealed that, ‘’The Kingdom in partnership with the Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities, United Nations Development Programme in Uganda, Uganda Tourism Board, Uganda Wildlife Authority, Uganda Wildlife Conservation and Education Centre, World Wildlife Foundation, Hotels, Tour operators, the Local Governments and other Tourism actors in Tooro Kingdom, we shall promote green and domestic tourism, develop cultural tourism products, strengthen the role of communities in tourism, develop the cottage industries, conservation of our cultural and natural heritage, strengthen tourism business eco-system, and harness digital technologies to support the tourism eco-system as Uganda is the Pearl of Africa but Tooro Kingdom is the Jewel of the Pearl of Africa’’.
L-R: Queen Mother Best Kemigisha, Dr. King Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV, the Royal majesty of Tooro Kingdom (C) and the Deputy Speaker of the Parliament of Uganda Hon. Betty Among at the Tooro Kingdom Palace.
He also lauded the Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities, Uganda Tourism Board, United Nations Development Programme in Uganda, and Talent Africa for supporting the ‘’Ekyooto Ha Mpango’’ annual cultural tourism festival campaign geared towards promoting domestic tourism in Tooro Kingdom and elevate the region as the number one tourism hub of destination Uganda.
While addressing guests and delegates on the eve of the 26th Coronation anniversary and launch date for the Ekyooto Ha Mpango annual cultural tourism festival on Saturday, the Cabinet Minister for Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities Hon. (Rtd) Col. Tom Butime appreciated the passionate efforts and support Tooro Kingdom under the reign of King Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV has committed towards the tourism sector.
Cabinet Minister for Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities Hon. (Rtd) Col. Tom Butime
He said that, ‘’I recall the World Tourism Day events held last year in Fortportal tourism city, that you accepted to host and the insights that you gave to the conservation, promotion and development of our nature and cultural attractions’’.
The Minister added that, ‘’Indeed, the Kingdom of Tooro is blessed with an assemblage of strong tourist attractions, beautiful natural weather, a hospitable environment and charming people. We as the ministry thank your Majesty for the great vision and stewardship that has supported this development’’.
He also revealed that, ‘’The Ekyooto Ha Mpango annual cultural tourism festival will ride on the love for adventure and cultural emersions, and treat visitors to the famed hospitality of Tooro. This Festival is more than a celebration as visitors will get allured to this event as this will inspire trickledown effect that will positively impact many enterprises within the region, the accommodation and food eateries, the entertainment and attraction services, the transport, tour guides, and most importantly the communities that produce the food and drinks, the art and craft will all benefit from this event. The event will also act as an opportunity to promote and let the world see the beauty and potential of Tooro as the power of tourism’’.
The UN Resident Representative in Uganda, Ms. Sheila Ngatia congratulated His Royal Majesty Rukirabasaija King Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV upon the successful completion of the climax of the 25 years silver jubilee and commencement of another great year of achievements for Tooro Kingdom and the people of Tooro.
She said, ‘’The United Nations Development Programme applauds you for dedicating Empango commemorative activities to the promotion of culture and tourism for local economic development. The African Union is promoting culture and heritage as levers for building the Africa we want’.
Sheila added that, ‘’Culture and Tourism are powerful global economic engines employing thousands, supporting millions of livelihoods, and fostering sustainable economic progress. Throughout the past decade, statistics have shown that culture and tourism can steer development with community wide social, economic and environmental impacts’’.
She concluded that, ‘’the tourism sector remains one of the fastest growing economic sectors in Uganda. Before the outbreak of the Coronavirus, the tourism sector alone was contributing 6.2% of the Country’s GDP with over US$2 billion and employing 589,300 people accounting for 3.6% of total national employment. The Covid-19 pandemic had had hitting effects of the tourism industry with visitors and number of persons the sector employs declining to approximately 473,000 and 386,200 respectively in 2020. On the contrary, culture and creative industries, is one of the emerging non-traditional industries that can greatly contribute to employment creation, foreign exchange earnings, revenue generation, and tourism promotion in the Country. The cultural and creative arts industry is estimated to employ approximately 400,000 people, most of whom are women as the industry has capacity to generate about US$850,000 annually to the economy in total business income which income was over 2.3% of Uganda’s total GDP of US$36.5 billion in 2020.
Tooro Kingdom’s Asset Achievements
On Achievements; the last 25years have witnessed Dr. King Oyo and the entire Tooro Kingdom register overwhelming successes as Tooro Kingdom through a memorandum of understanding signed in December 2019 between King Oyo Rukidi Kabamba Iguru IV and His Excellency President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni – Government was able to handover all Kingdom assets that are currently in full control by the monarchy.
Tooro Kingdom fight against Covid-19
The fight against the deadly Covid-19 continues as King Oyo always sensitizes his subjects to follow Coronavirus preventative guidelines such as; social distancing, wearing a mask, avoid handshakes, sanitize all the time plus if possible take a vaccine whenever Government rolls vaccinating drives in the region.
Lastly, the Cabinet Minister for Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities Hon. (Rtd) Col. Tom Butime extended Government pledge towards constructing a Tooro Kingdom monument where the public can get all classified, historical, rich heritage and traditional cultural information about the Kingdom, Kingship and their lineage.
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