Tooro Kingdom commemorated the 27th anniversary of the coronation of King Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru IV at the Kingdom palace in Karuzika Fort Portal City. The function started with prayers led by Bishop Reuben Kisembo of the Ruwenzori diocese, accompanied by Bishop Robert Muhiirwa Akiiki of the Fort Portal Catholic diocese.
Bishop Kisembo called for unity of Tooro subjects and also condemned corruption in the country. The Kingdom is also celebrating 200 years of existence.
Bishop Kisembo also appealed for calm and harmony among all the subjects and people of Tooro. He asked the Kingdom subjects to respect the monarch and the institutions of the kingdom. Bishop Kisembo was responding to a section of clan leaders who boycotted the Empango celebrations and threatened to drag the King to court because of the manner in which he appointed Steven Kiyingi as the Prime Minister.
“When the King makes a decision, we as the subjects are not supposed to discuss it let alone reject it. So, I’m requesting my brothers to be calm, support the new prime minister, and respect the King for the betterment of the Kingdom.” Bishop Kisembo said
On September 4, 2022, a section of Tooro clan leaders petitioned the King opposing the manner in which he appointed Kiyingi as Prime Minister, or Omuhikirwa, of Tooro. In their petition, the clan heads claim that the council sitting on August 26, 2022, in which Kiyingi was presented, was irregularly constituted.
They contend that the council lacked a Speaker and a Deputy Speaker since Eng. Julius Mwirumubi who chaired the council was never sworn in as the Speaker.
King Oyo, who is 30, ascended to the throne in August 1995 at the age of three after the death of his father Patrick David Mathew Kaboyo Olimi III. Empango is celebrated annually on September 12, 2022, the day of Omukama Oyo’s official coronation.
