Iguru Suspends Coronation Anniversary Over COVID-19

Andrew Byakutaga, the Bunyoro Kitara Kingdom prime minister told The Uganda Times this morning that the kingdom has decided to halt the celebrations until further notice.

The Omukama of Bunyoro Dr. Solomon Gafabusa Rukirabasaija Agutamba Iguru has suspended his 26th coronation anniversary locally known as Empango because of the Covid19 lock down. Empango is commemorated on July 11th annually to celebrate the day the Iguru ascended to the throne. 

Iguru was enthroned on June 11, 1994 following the restoration of kingdoms by the ruling National Resistance Movement-NRM Government. During the Empango celebrations guests are treated to different cultural performances including dances, drama and poetry recitals. However, the Omukama has called off this year’s Empango celebrations because of the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Uganda has so registered 53 confirmed cases with several people under self and institutional quarantine. Andrew Byakutaga, the Bunyoro Kitara Kingdom prime minister told The Uganda Times this morning that the kingdom has decided to halt the celebrations until further notice.  

“We are unable to celebrate this year’s 26th Empango coronation Anniversary due to the COVID-19 Pandemic crisis that is ravaging the whole world. The Omukama has suspended the celebrations until the situation in the country and the whole world normalises;” said Byakutaga.

He says they can’t allow thousands of Kingdom subjects to converge at the palace given the presidential ban on public gatherings to combat the spread of the pandemic. Byakutaga says all the money that would go to finance Empango celebrations will be channeled to health facilities in Bunyoro sub region to enable them purchase sanitisers, gloves, face masks and detergents among others.

He says the kingdom is hunting for Shillings 60 Million to purchase medical supplies to equip all health facilities in the 8 districts in Bunyoro sub region namely Hoima, Masindi, Kikuube, Kagadi, Kiryandongo, Buliisa, Kibaale and Kakumiro. 

He has challenged Kingdom subjects to generously contribute towards this noble cause to ensure that all health facilities are well equipped with the necessary medical equipment to handle COVID-19 cases. 

Byakutaga also appealed to the Kingdom subjects to strictly adhere to government directive on COVID-19 to enable them prevent the further spread of the disease.  

Okello Emmanuel

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