The Bunyoro-Kitara Kingdom commemorated the Empango (coronation) anniversary of Omukama Solomon Gafabusa Iguru on Tuesday, June 11.
The event was marked with dressing up and politicking over the operationalisation of the long-awaited Bunyoro public university.
The Empango is a ritual performed by the Omukama as part of his enthronement, and this year’s event was held at the Rukurato (Parliament) Courtyard in Hoima City.
The Omukama was absent due to ill health, and an informal celebration was presided over by government officials, including Members of Parliament (MPs), government and kingdom officials, subjects, and cultural leaders.
The event has become an annual tradition since the Kingdom was restored by the National Resistance Movement (NRM) in 1994.
The government has been promising to operationalise the university since 2001, but it has yet to materialise.
This year, there were assurances that the government had allocated money in the 2024/2025 financial year budget and had acquired land at Bulera Primary Teachers College in Hoima City for its operationalisation.
However, questions were raised about the government’s commitment to establishing the said university.
Hoima City Woman Legislator, Asinansi Nyakato, questioned the process and seriousness of the government, stating that there was no motion on the floor of parliament and no money allocated for the university.
“To establish a university, an Act of Parliament is required. However, to my dismay, no motion has ever been brought to the floor of parliament, as is required by the Minister of Education and Sports. Upon keen scrutiny of the proposed budget, I found no allocation for it. This appears to be an empty promise,” stated Nyakato, an opposition legislator of the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC).
The University and Other Tertiary Institutions Act, stipulates that the minister may establish a public university through a statutory instrument, upon recommendation of the National Council and resolution of Parliament.
It mandates the National Council to register the public university within thirty days of publication of the statutory instrument in the Gazette and ensure the establishment of the University Council within six months.
Nyakato’s remarks appeared to provoke reaction from ruling NRM legislators. Harriet Mugenyi Businge, the Hoima district Woman MP seized the microphone to assert that it was unethical for Nyakato to make unfounded claims under the guise of politicking, emphasising that funds had indeed been allocated.
Despite Businge’s clarification, Nyakato remained resolute, seemingly poised to further assert her stance.
However, the kingdom spokesperson, Francis Mugerwa, who was overseeing the event, denied Nyakato access to the microphone.
Nyakato persisted at the podium until Brian Kaboyo, Hoima City Mayor, intervened and persuaded her to step aside, visibly frustrated.
The Prime Minister, Robinah Nabbanja, said that they had allocated sh20b in the budget for the university to start. However, she did not reveal the exact academic year when the university would start.
The call to establish the first and long-awaited public university has been an issue since it was promised by President Yoweri Museveni while canvassing for votes to win his third term of office, in 2001.
It has surfaced at every Empango celebrations. Although a task force (technical committee) has been set up which seems to have moved a step in the right direction, previous failed attempts have cast a shadow of doubt, drawing mixed reactions from stakeholders with some expressing less elation.
In a speech delivered on his behalf by Nabbanja, President Yoweri Museveni, called upon cultural leaders, who maintain close ties with their communities, to complement government efforts in mobilising communities for wealth creation initiatives to enhance their livelihoods.
He emphasised that since the NRM assumed power in 1986, it has shown a commitment to serving all citizens, provided their interests are legitimate.
Museveni highlighted the key drivers of prosperity, such as infrastructure development including roads, electricity, and Information Communication and Technology (ICT), particularly in the Bunyoro sub-region.
He stressed the importance of mobilising communities to effectively utilise these resources.
The President urged leaders to assist households in identifying profitable ventures in areas such as commercial agriculture, transportation services, and ICT.
He specifically recommended that small-scale landowners explore opportunities like coffee cultivation, poultry farming for eggs, and fish farming, utilising available land resources effectively.
Museveni also appealed to traditional and cultural leaders to intensify efforts in preserving local languages and culture, which face threats from external influences.
He emphasised that the restoration of cultural institutions aimed not only at promoting culture but also at safeguarding traditional sites crucial for cultural tourism and education.
The Kingdom Omuhikirwa (Prime Minister), Andrew Kirungi Byakutaga, urged subjects to embrace government projects such as Parish Development Model, Emyooga, Women Entrepreneurship Programme, and Operation Wealth Creation to eradicate poverty.
Byakutaga, who called for unity, stated that the Omukama was unable to attend the anniversary due to ill health.
He added that the Omukama was currently receiving treatment and recuperating. Byakutaga mentioned that they are collaborating with the government to cover the medical expenses. This response came after Hoima Woman City MP, Asinansi Nyakato, inquired earlier in the day about the possibility of subjects contributing towards the Omukama’s treatment.
“People should refrain from contributing money for his treatment. If the need for financial support arises, you will be duly informed,” Byakutaga emphasised.
He also called for unity and asked the government to ensure that local people benefit from local content in the oil sector.
He mentioned that during the Mujato (empango eve festivities) held on June 10 in Buliisa district, concerns were raised by the local populace regarding the perceived lack of benefits from oil exploration in their region, aside from improved infrastructure such as paved roads.
He stressed that it is imperative for the local population to be prioritised in employment opportunities and sourcing of goods and services related to the oil sector, considering they will bear the brunt of its negative impacts during extraction.
He expressed gratitude to the President for appointing Banyoro individuals to key government positions, including the current Prime Minister (Nabanja), Inspector General of Police Abbas Byakagaba, Balaam Barugahara, State Minister for Gender, Labour and Social Development in charge of Children and Youth Affairs, Matia Kasaija (Minister of Finance), Mary Mugasa, State Minister for Public Services, and Fred Byamukama, State Minister of Works and Transport, among others.
The event also saw the contribution of ministers hailing from Bunyoro Kingdom to support the Omugo Foundation, founded by Bunyoro Queen, Margaret Karunga Adyeeri.
The foundation aims to promote culture among the youth, girl child education, and sensitize at-risk youth and promote sex education, among others. An estimated sh100m was realised in cash and pledges
