With less than two weeks to the planned enthronement of Prince Edward Kijanangoma Rukidi Nyabongo I as the new king Omukama of Tooro, the central organising committee has unveiled a Shs925 million budget to prepare for the one-day coronation ceremony.
The coronation, scheduled for September 29, will formally mark the beginning of the reign of Nyabongo I, who was selected by the Babiito royal clan to succeed the late Omukama Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV.
The organising committee says it is racing against time to raise the money and complete preparations for an event that will combine religious proceedings, royal ceremonies and traditional rituals.
Fr Isaiah Mayombo, the chairperson of the central organising committee, said on Saturday that several subcommittees had been established and their budgets consolidated as preparations entered a critical stage.
‘We are planning and meeting all the people with all structures of the kingdom in planning; we want this coronation to be organised well. This is different from other coronations where we have been celebrating anniversaries; this is for the coronation; we have a single day to do the function; we need Shs925 million; we asked all partners and other people to contribute,’ he said during a preparatory meeting at Karuzika Palace in Fort Portal City.
Fr Mayombo said the committee wants all major preparations completed by September 27, two days before the coronation.
‘If the resources are made available, by September 27, all things needed for the function should be in place, only waiting for the coronation day,’ he said, adding that the organising team is also working with members in Kampala on resource mobilisation.
The committee has established teams responsible for palace affairs, entertainment, health, protocol, welfare, transport, publicity, works and decoration, finance and other areas.
Mr Alex Ruhunda, the chairperson of the finance committee, said Shs220 million has been allocated to works, decoration and hiring of tents, while Shs300 million will cater for welfare.
Entertainment will take Shs30 million, health Shs25 million, transport Shs25 million, publicity Shs70 million, protocol Shs10 million and palace affairs Shs100 million.
The budget also provides Shs30 million for rituals, Shs50 million for civil works, Shs10 million for security and Shs50 million for event coordination, with the balance covering other activities.
Mr Ruhunda said the budget had been shared with potential supporters, including President Museveni, non-governmental organisations and other partners.
Mr Richard Rwabuhinga, the head of the protocol committee, said preparations for the guest list were also advanced and 5,000 invitation cards had been prepared.
He said 3,000 physical invitation cards would start being issued on Monday, while another 2,000 invitations would be sent electronically.
President Museveni is expected to be the chief guest, according to the organising committee.
‘Among other guests we have invited are the Kingdoms of Buganda, Bunyoro, Busoga and Rwenzururu, among others. We have invited the Speaker of Parliament and Deputy Speaker, MPs, together with Cabinet ministers, and we are extending invitations to other embassies,’ Mr Rwabuhinga said.
Unlike the annual Empango celebrations held during the reign of the late Oyo, the September 29 event will be an enthronement ceremony rather than a coronation anniversary.
However, the committee says the event will have more cultural significance beginning on the night of September 28.
From Rwengoma to Karuzika
According to the programme presented by the organising committee, Nyabongo I will spend September 26 to 28 at Rwengoma Palace, where he will undergo preparations and traditional rites before being taken to Karuzika Palace for the final stages of his enthronement.
On the night of September 28, the prince is expected to leave Rwengoma with members of the traditional ritual team and his royal guards, known as the Baduma, and walk through Fort Portal town before heading to Karuzika.
One of the key public elements of the ritual will be a mock battle at Mugabante, the main gate of the King of Karuzika Palace.
The mock battle is not a new feature in Tooro royal succession. During the enthronement of the late King Oyo in 1995, a mock battle at the palace entrance formed part of the rituals through which the young prince was proclaimed king.
The ceremony, according to the organisers, is not war but a symbol that shows a king has fought and won a battle for him to rule. It will be followed by other traditional rites as he enters the palace as Omukama.
Similarly, Nyabongo I will pass through Mugabante before being led through Omusanga, the royal parlour, and into the palace for further rituals.
Rwengoma Palace is one of Tooro’s surviving historic royal sites. Heritage records describe the palace as having been built in the early 20th century by Omukama Daudi Kasagama Kyebambe for his mother, Victoria Kahinju, on his return from exile, and completed in 1903.
The palace was subsequently associated with the preparation of members of the royal family before they ascended the throne.
Mr David Olimi Kanyemera, the head of Rwengoma Palace, said the building has a particular place in Tooro’s royal history because it was constructed during the reign of Kyebambe and was later used by members of the royal family who became kings.
‘Nyabongo I will be the fourth King to ascend the throne from this palace; it is unique in its construction and design. No cement or metal was used in its foundation,’ Mr Kanyemera said.
He said Rwengoma was also associated with Sir George Kamurasi Rukidi III and Patrick Kaboyo, who later became Omukama Rukidi III and Olimi III respectively.
Mr Kanyemera said preparations for the new king would take place at the palace from September 26 to 28.
‘From 26th to 28th we shall be preparing the King for the mock battle as he prepares for the throne,’ he said.
Security tightened
By Saturday evening, workers were cleaning Rwengoma Palace as preparations intensified.
The organising committee also said it planned to furnish parts of the palace ahead of the rituals.
Security has been heightened at the royal sites connected to the enthronement, including Rwengoma, Karuzika Palace and the Karambi Royal Tombs.
Mr Patrick Mugazi, the head of the security committee, said UPDF personnel had been deployed at the sites and that the incoming king was under tight protection.
‘All royal sites that are important for this coronation are being guarded heavily. At Karuzika, Rwengoma Palace and Karambi Royal Tombs there are UPDF soldiers, and Prince Edward is in safe hands with tight security,’ he said.
On the morning of September 29, the public programme is expected to begin with a church service at St John’s Cathedral of Ruwenzori Diocese in Fort Portal.
Nyabongo I is expected to participate in prayers before proceeding to Karuzika Palace for the ceremonial activities.
The Babiito royal clan announced Nyabongo I as successor and later set September 29 for his enthronement after the Tooro Kingdom Supreme Council confirmed him as successor.
The announcement paved the way for the current preparations involving clans, county chiefs and other kingdom structures. Fr Mayombo said people should disregard social media reports that the coronation has been cancelled, saying the government is behind the preparations.