King Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV of Tooro has been celebrating his 22 coronation anniversary in Kabarole District and the ceremony which is expected to be graced by President Museveni as the chief guest.
But Mr. Museveni on Friday instead travelled abroad as a special guest of honour at the National Defence College of Nigeria in Abuja during the inauguration of the institution’s 26th class.
This has left King Oyo’s subjects and close allies unhappy.
Unimpressed by the presidential snub, the empango ceremony at Karuzika Hill has been turned into a chance to agitate the central government to return the kingdom’s assets.
In his speech, Eddie Kasaija, the kingdom’s minister for youth, said his ministry is ready and determined to bring Toro back to its glory.
He said as the youth of Toro, they are tired of waiting for the central government’s empty promises.
“Returning the assets will help the kingdom get revenues,” King Oyo has tasked President Museveni before.
The kingdom is demanding prime pieces of land, sub-county and county offices in Kyenjojo, Kamwenge, Bundibugyo and Kabarole districts which have never been returned since cultural institutions were restored in the 1990s.
The 25-year-old king assumed the throne at the age of three, after the death of his father King Patrick Olimi Kaboyo in 1995.
