By Karim Were
FORT PORTAL — The Deputy Resident City Commissioner (DRCC) for Fort Portal, Mr Businge Emmanuel, has paid tribute to the late King of Tooro Kingdom, His Majesty Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru IV, describing his contribution to community development and national progress as a legacy that should inspire leaders and citizens.
Businge made the remarks while addressing the Fort Portal City Council sitting at the Botanical Gardens on August 28, 2026.
The DRCC praised the King for supporting and promoting programmes that, according to the city leadership, positively affected communities across the Tooro Kingdom and contributed to broader development efforts.
Among the initiatives highlighted were youth empowerment programmes through which young people received coffee and cocoa seedlings, the establishment of hatcheries across counties in the kingdom, demonstration farms and campaigns aimed at raising awareness about HIV/AIDS.
Businge said the programmes demonstrated the important role cultural institutions can play in complementing government and community development initiatives.
#Youth empowerment and agriculture
The DRCC particularly highlighted initiatives aimed at promoting agriculture and empowering young people.
He said programmes involving the distribution of coffee and cocoa seedlings had encouraged youth participation in agriculture and created opportunities for households to engage in income-generating activities.
Businge also cited demonstration farms and agricultural initiatives as examples of efforts intended to promote modern farming practices and improve community livelihoods.
He said such programmes provided an important example of how cultural institutions, local governments and communities can work towards common development objectives.
The establishment of hatcheries in different parts of the kingdom was also mentioned among initiatives that had contributed to agricultural and livestock development.
#Public health and sanitation
Businge further paid tribute to the late monarch’s involvement in public health and community mobilisation, particularly efforts aimed at raising awareness about HIV/AIDS.
He said the King also demonstrated a strong interest in sanitation and hygiene, issues that remain important to public health and community wellbeing.
According to the DRCC, the kingdom leadership and the Office of the Resident City Commissioner had previously worked together on cleaning activities intended to promote environmental cleanliness.
The activities were organised alongside broader government efforts to encourage communities to maintain clean surroundings and participate in national cleaning initiatives.
Businge said the King’s interest in sanitation demonstrated the importance of leaders using their influence to mobilise communities around issues affecting public health and development.
#Call for leaders to emulate King’s example
The DRCC called upon Fort Portal City leaders to draw inspiration from the King’s record of service and community engagement.
He urged leaders at different levels to place the interests and welfare of the people at the centre of their work.
Businge said the continued implementation of development programmes associated with the Tooro Kingdom could complement national efforts aimed at improving household incomes and transforming communities.
He called for cooperation between cultural institutions, local government leaders and other stakeholders in advancing development initiatives.
The DRCC said the Kingdom Development Agenda resonates with the government’s broader ambitions of promoting socio-economic transformation and improving livelihoods.
He urged city leaders to remain focused on programmes that directly benefit communities and contribute to sustainable development.
#Council passes tribute motion
Before Businge delivered his remarks, Fort Portal City Council unanimously passed a motion paying tribute to the late King.
The motion recognised the monarch’s contribution to the kingdom and the wider country and reflected the council’s appreciation of the role played by cultural institutions in community mobilisation and national development.
Council members noted that traditional and cultural institutions continue to play an important role in preserving identity, promoting social cohesion and supporting development initiatives.
The tribute also highlighted the relationship between local leadership and cultural institutions in addressing social and economic challenges affecting communities.
#DRCC warns against holiday teaching
During the same address, Businge cautioned school heads against conducting classes during the holiday period in contravention of Ministry of Education and Sports directives.
He called upon leaders at all levels to ensure that schools comply with the official school calendar and any applicable ministry guidelines governing the conduct of teaching and learning during holidays.
The DRCC said parents should be encouraged to spend meaningful time with their children during school holidays.
He argued that the holiday period provides families with an opportunity to guide children and help them develop values and life skills beyond the formal classroom environment.
Businge called on local leaders and education stakeholders to monitor compliance with the ministry’s directives and discourage schools from opening for unauthorised holiday teaching.
He said the wellbeing and development of children requires cooperation between schools, parents, community leaders and government institutions.
#Legacy of service
The Fort Portal City Council’s tribute to King Oyo comes as leaders and communities in Tooro reflect on the contribution of cultural institutions to development and national building.
Businge said the late monarch’s commitment to community programmes offered an example of leadership rooted in service, mobilisation and social responsibility.
He urged leaders to preserve and advance programmes that promote youth empowerment, agriculture, public health and sanitation.
The DRCC said the most meaningful way of honouring a leader’s contribution is to continue supporting initiatives that improve the lives of the people.
The City Council’s unanimous tribute, he added, was a recognition of the enduring importance of cultural leadership in mobilising communities and supporting Uganda’s broader development agenda.
As Fort Portal City leaders continue to mourn and reflect on the monarch’s contribution, Businge called for renewed commitment to service, unity and development.
He said leaders should take inspiration from the values of community service and work collectively to ensure that development programmes continue to benefit the people of Tooro and Uganda as a whole.
**Source:🇺🇬 Be Blessed
