Kampala
  24/09/07
 
THE TEENAGE TORO KING WANTED TO MEET THE QUEEN OF ENGLAND

By Leo Odera Omolo

The teenage Omukama (King) of Toro has expressed his wish to meet the Queen Elizabeth II of England during her forthcoming visit to Uganda in November.

Queen Elizabeth is expected to officiate in the official opening ceremony of the commonwealth Health of State and Government CHOGM in Kampala on November 13, 2007.

King Oyo Rabamba Iguru Rukidi IV who is now 15 year old is the Omukama of Toro, a small monarchy located in Western Uganda said he knew that Queen Elizabeth had visited his tiny kingdom long before his reign. But now he wants to meet her.

The Omukama of Toro has requested to meet the Queen of England.

In 1954 when the Queen of England visited the semi autonomous, but tiny Toro kingdom, she met one of my grandfathers Omukama George Rukidi IV who welcomed her in post portal, ‘’I would like to get the opportunity to meet her too king Oyo said at the weekend.

King Oyo made the remark during the Omukama’s 12th Emupango (coronation anniversary held at his palace in Port Portal.

The Queen will be in Uganda in November to open the Commonwealth Heads of Government (CHOGM) meeting. She last visited Uganda in 1954 only one year after her coronation in June 1953 when she commissioned Owen Falls Dam and also toured parts of Western Uganda.

Responding to King Oyo, President Yoweri Museveni who was the Chief Guest, pledged ‘’I will ensure that the Omukama meets the Queen of England when she comes for CHOGM’s summit’’.

The Ugandan Head of State also promised to fulfill his earlier pledge to procure the young Oyo a car befitting his monarchy status.

The monarchy in his speech had reminded President Museveni, who is one of the crown bearers about the offer.

Museveni hailed the Queen mother, Best Kemigisa, for looking after the youthful Omukama well, following the death of his father Patrick Olumi Kaboyo. He urged the people of Toro to be grateful to the Queen mother for that.

King Oyo ascended the throne when he was only three years old. As one of the crown bearers I can make my contribution in other areas but I would not have managed to bring up the young King as the Queen mother has done. ‘’Museveni said.

The Ugandan leader, however, warned cultural institutions against involvement in politics, saying mixing the two was likely to weaken cultural institutions. ‘’In politics people abuse each other, which should not be the case with cultural institutions, Museveni stressed.

The President said tribal kingdom had the role of promoting culture and native languages.

Turning to the controversial cultural institutions in the neighbouring Kasese district, President Museveni appealed to the people not to destabilize their area because of the Obusinga. He added that the constitution recognized the Obusinga, but it was necessary for the people to sort out their misunderstanding before their king is installed.

Ends.
leooderaomolo@yahoo.com