From Triumph to Turmoil: King Oyo's Coronation Anniversary Hangs in the Balance, Amidst Chaos and Uncertainty

The Kingdom of Tooro stands on the brink of chaos as the highly anticipated coronation the 28th coronation anniversary celebrations of King Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV of Tooro Kindom, scheduled for September 12 due to ongoing conflicts in his kingdom.
The anniversary, known in Rutooro as empango', has been an annual event since Oyo was crowned king in 1995 at the age of three. During the one week celebrations, his subjects have an opportunity to visit the King at his palace in Fort Portal town, present gifts and interact with him.  

The King also visits schools and hospitals and donates food items and clothes to patients. Other activities include cultural exhibitions at the king’s palace and clan football and netball tournament. 

https://twitter.com/DailyMonitor/status/1681628223703068673However kingdom officials are concerned that this year’s celebrations which are supposed to start on July 25th and end on 30th, may not take place because of lack of funds. It follows the freezing of the kingdom because of a court order stopping any kingdom activities from taking place.

During the Kingdom Supreme Council meeting held in Muchwa, Fort Portal City, in May, King Oyo selected the Abagaya clan to oversee the organisation of this year’s Empango or coronation celebrations.

However, during a press conference in Fort Portal City on Sunday afternoon, Mr Richard Mugabyomu Bakasemeza Abwooli, the chairperson of the Abagaya clan, along with other clan cabinet members, announced their withdrawal from organising the coronation anniversary.
Mr Mugabyomu said their decision was prompted by a discrepancy involving two different bank account numbers provided to the organising committee for the Empango funds.

They said one account number was given by the kingdom’s Deputy Prime Minister, Ms Harriet Nyakake, while the other was presented as the original account for Empango activities by Omujwera Musuga Kamurasi, the Queen Mother.
This allegedly created confusion among the organising committee members, making it difficult for them to proceed with resource mobilisation.

The Tooro Kingdom Prime Minister, Mr Steven Kiyingi, issued a statement through information minister, Mr Patrick Bamanyisa, expressing regret over the withdrawal of the Abagaya clan from their role in organising the celebration refuting the claim about stemming from the Empango account.