The Independent Uganda: You get the Truth we Pay the Price
Hoima, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | President Yoweri Museveni has asked cultural leaders to mobilize their subjects on wealth creation programs to boost their household incomes.
The call was in a speech read by Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja during the 30th coronation anniversary of Omukama Solomon Rukirabasaija Gafabusa Iguru I on Tuesday. The events were held at the Kingdom chambers in Hoima.
In the message, the President explained that the government restored cultural institutions to promote culture and development and as such, cultural leaders have platforms to mobilize subjects to engage in productive ventures.
Museveni said Cultural leaders are vital in spearheading community-based development projects which will be a precursor for eradicating poverty. He cited, among them the Parish Development Model, a bottom-up approach to budgeting which is aimed at moving national development planning to the grassroots.
Museveni says the restoration of traditional institutions was a symbolic recognition of the achievements of NRM government in the struggle to set up centralized administration a prerequisite for better organization of production and welfare of society
Museveni also asked the traditional leaders to work for unity, preserving the local languages and customs, saying that these, are now threatened by foreign influences.
He applauded the leadership of Bunyoro Kitara kingdom for remaining focused on the fight against HIV/AIDS and challenged the people of Bunyoro to wisely prepare and tap into opportunities that will accrue from the oil and gas discovered in the region.
Omukama Solomon Rukirabasaija Gafubusa Iguru I tasked the government to ensure that the people from Bunyoro are offered opportunities in the oil and gas sector stating that most Banyoro with the requisite standards and qualifications applying for jobs in the oil and gas sector have been ejected.
His message was read by Andrew Byakutaga, the Bunyoro Kingdom Prime Minister.
Byakutaga further stated that the kingdom is promoting coffee growing among its subjects thanks to a partnership with the National Agricultural Research Organisation- NARO and the Uganda Coffee Development Authority (UCDA).
The coronation anniversary of Omukama Iguru also known as Empango is commemorated annually on June 11 to celebrate the day Iguru ascended to the throne. This year, the ceremony attracted thousands of Kingdom subjects who were treated to different cultural performances including dances, drama, and poetry recitals.
Iguru the 27th King under the Ababiito clan first performed the ritual on June 11, 1994, following the restoration of cultural institutions.
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