The Omukama of Bunyoro, Solomon Gafabusa Iguru and the Queen at last year’s coronation ceremony. PHOTO BY FRANCIS MUGERWA
By FRANCIS MUGERWA
In Summary
Culture and tourism. The celebrations will focus on tourism and cultural opportunities in the kingdom.
Today, the people of Bunyoro Kingdom will commemorate the 19th anniversary of the Omukama at Karukiiza Palace in Hoima District.
Dr Solomon Gafabusa Iguru, who was enthroned on
June 11, 1994, is the 27th king in the ruling Ababiito dynasty. He is
the grandson of Omukama Kabalega and son of Sir Tito Winyi, a fallen
king of Bunyoro.
“Empango (coronation) is the most significant and culturally memorable celebration which the people in Bunyoro celebrate annually,” the King’s principal private secretary, Mr Yolam Nsamba, said on Sunday.
“Empango (coronation) is the most significant and culturally memorable celebration which the people in Bunyoro celebrate annually,” the King’s principal private secretary, Mr Yolam Nsamba, said on Sunday.
The kingdom prime minister, the Rev Jackson Nsamba
Kasozi, said President Museveni has been invited as chief guest at the
celebrations. This year’s celebrations will be held under the theme
‘Tapping the tourism and Cultural opportunities of Bunyoro Kingdom’.
Rev. Kasozi sai it is a norm in Bunyoro for the
king to reward the personalities who have outstandingly contributed to
the development of the kingdom. “He offers certificates of recognition
or crowns (ekondo),” Rev Kasozi added.
The clergyman, also the chairperson of the
organising committee of the celebrations, said the kingdom will showcase
the culture, tourism and investment opportunities. “The kingdom through
the ministry of tourism has organised an expo which will display
abundant opportunities and potentials,” he said. He said the exhibition
is intended to expose the kingdom’s enormous agricultural and tourism
potentials which, if well harnessed, could turn the kingdom into a major
tourist centre and a trade hub.
The kingdom is expected to spend Shs250 million
for the coronation. The kingdom has invited local cultural leaders,
ambassadors of various countries to Uganda, political and religious
leaders, development partners and investors. Last year, the celebrations
were held under the theme “Oil and gas resource, a new dawn for
Bunyoro”.
Rituals performed during empango
Empango is celebrated annually, on the day the king assumed the throne.
However, kingdom archives reveal that previously, the Banyoro would celebrate this anniversary twice annually. “The celebrations would be held during every harvesting time,” the Omukama’s principal private secretary, Mr Yolamu Nsamba said.
However, kingdom archives reveal that previously, the Banyoro would celebrate this anniversary twice annually. “The celebrations would be held during every harvesting time,” the Omukama’s principal private secretary, Mr Yolamu Nsamba said.
The king’s subjects would come along with harvests
and other forms of gifts which they would offer to him to honour his
good leadership. “On this day, the king drums a big royal drum known as
empango which sounds only once a year,” Hajj Bruhan Kyokuhaire, the
kingdom’s education minister, said.
The the king drums it when he assumes the throne
and it is turned upside down when he dies. Historically, empango would
be celebrated for nine days but it is now celebrated for two days due
to financial constraints.
Mr Kyokuhaire says it is celebrated at Karukiiza
Palace, the Queen mother’s residence for a day and another at the
Omukonda’s residence. Omukonda is a fortune teller who prophesied that
Rukidi Mpuuga I would become king of Bunyoro
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