During the 30th Empango celebrations held at Rukurato chambers, Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja conveyed a message from President Museveni emphasizing the importance of restoring cultural institutions as a means of unifying the nation.
President Museveni called upon cultural leaders to leverage their influence to mobilize communities towards development. He urged them to guide their people into lucrative ventures such as information technology, commercial agriculture, industry, and hospitality. “Cultural institutions wield significant power. When they speak, their subjects listen. It is imperative that they provide effective guidance to eliminate poverty, reduce unemployment, and promote national growth,” Museveni stated.
Furthermore, Museveni underscored the critical role of cultural leaders in preserving cultural heritage, which he sees as vital for enhancing cultural tourism. “Traditional leaders must protect and preserve cultural heritage, including traditional cuisine, trees, historical sites, and monuments. Many international visitors come to experience our diverse cultures. Failure to preserve these aspects would result in a decline in cultural tourism and loss of foreign exchange revenue,” he warned.
Prime Minister Nabbanja echoed these sentiments, expressing concern over the underutilization of regional development opportunities by Bunyoro residents. She urged Banyoro living in Kampala and abroad to return and invest in the region, highlighting the improvements in infrastructure, power supply, water availability, and security. “The region is experiencing rapid growth. While there are some hotels, we need more, particularly with the upcoming AFCON events and ongoing oil and gas projects,” Nabbanja encouraged.
This year’s 30th Empango coronation anniversary was notably the third consecutive celebration without the presence of Omukama Dr. Solomon Gafabusa Iguru I, who has been unwell since his last public appearance in 2019.
