Clergy explain Oyo anniversary boycott
Tooro Queen Mother Best Kemigisa, King Oyo, Premier Ruhakana Rugunda and kingdom premier Bernard Tungakwo cut cake to mark Oyo’s 20th coronation anniversary last Saturday. PHOTO BY RUTH KATUSABE
Kabarole- Religious leaders in Fort Portal, Kabarole District, have said they boycotted King Oyo’s 20th coronation anniversary because the kingdom went against the traditional procedure.
Anglican Bishop Reuben Kisembo of Rwenzori Diocese, Catholic Bishop Robert Muhiirwa of Fort Portal Diocese, Bishop Jimmy Katuramu of United Pentecostal Churches in Uganda and Tooro Khadi Sheikh Abbibu Mande did not show up at the ceremony last Saturday.
Addressing a press conference on Wednesday, the clerics said the kingdom officials changed the tradition where celebrations begin with prayers at St John Kabarole Cathedral before conducting activities at the palace.
“At around midday [on Friday], we received a message from King Oyo... that the service should be held at the palace, for that reason, we as the clergy said no and decided not to attend the ceremony because we had wanted to restore the early cultural norms,” Bishop Kisembo said.
