King Oyo starts his six days fasting
King of Tooro,Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukiidi IV recently joins Muslims in a prayer in Fort Portal. Photo by Ruth Katusabe
The King of Tooro, Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukiidi IV, has on Monday started fasting for a week protesting what he sees as President Museveni’s decision to create more kingdoms within the greater Tooro monarchy.
He is also fasting for the return of ebyaitu or kingdom properties. They include the chiefdoms of Rwenzururu which constituted Busongora and Bukonjo counties in the old Tooro Kingdom and Bwamba County, which now have independent cultural leaders.
The King who is in his palace Karuzika in Fort Portal is joined by the royal family. His subjects have also been asked to join in the solidarity move.
“His Royal Majesty Dr. Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV the King of Tooro, and the Royal family today (Monday 14th July 2014) start a week long prayer and fasting for peace in the Kingdom and seek the almighty God's guidance at his palace (Karuzika) till Saturday 19th July 2014” read a statement from the Kingdom Deputy Information Minister, Mr Vincent Mugume Araali.
He added, “It should be noted that it is not the first time the King and the Royal family have had such prayers.”
Last month, the kingdom prime minister, Mr Stephen Kaliba said the King Oyo’s action is to show dissatisfaction with the split of his kingdom.
“So far, the President has created Obudhingiya Bwa Bwamba and Rwenzururu kingdoms out of the greater Tooro Kingdom forgetting that a king is born, not made,” Mr Kaliba said at a function in Kyenjojo District.
He added then, “Tooro caters for all institutions and tribes in this region. I wonder why the President has gone ahead to divide our kingdom into smaller units thus causing divisionism and tribal clashes”.
A week later, while visiting his subjects at Mitandi in Kabarole district, Rwenzururu King Charles Wesley Mumbere also warned Mr Museveni against authorising the formation of more kingdoms, saying it would create clashes.
However, in response president Museveni said King Oyo would be healthy if he fasted, a statement that triggered demonstrations in Fort Portal town from Amacumu n’ebitara by’Omukama (Youths of the King of Tooro).
