QUEEN BEST KEMIGISA, the queen mother of Rukirabasaija Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV, feels an incredible sense of relief now that her son is turning 18 to take full charge of Toro Kingdom. The empango festivities are due this weekend in Kabarole. ABU-BAKER MULUMBA caught up with her at her palace in Buziga, Kampala.
What does this mean for the role of a queen mother?
Raising a king is not an easy task but the fact that he has been a king since he was three and a half years, there is not going to be a big change in my role because he is still a young king who needs people around him. The only change could be that he can now appoint and sack.
Are you now going to stop going everywhere with him?
I don’t think I have to be moving with him like it has been but it will also depend on the type of function because he has been trained to do things on his own and he now needs to be more independent while executing his duties. You know the king best; is he in position to work without his regents or you…?
Some of the regents have not performed. Two of them [George Nyakairu and Bakahuma] are battling court cases; they are accused of defrauding a bank. It has only been Richard Baguma who was active. So, that issue is now closed and it’s a new chapter that needs time. He now needs advisors and people like King Ronald Mutebi have pledged to continue advising him whenever there is need.
What about the king’s studies, won’t they be disrupted?
He has always balanced his programmes very well, attending school when it is time for school and doing the kingdom work, mainly during holidays, and I hope he will continue doing the same.
He is coming into a climate where things are changing between the central government and traditional rulers. Aren’t you afraid for him?
For us, we are not politicians and we hate politics, but we know what we want from the government; that is why we shall try as much as we can to avoid pulling ropes with them [government]. Things like federo will have to be decided by the people of Toro though we are very much against the Regional Tier because it’s not elaborate enough. How can the king stay in good books with government and serve his people 100%? Is that possible?
By doing what his subjects want. The government also wants to be in good books with the electorate who are also the king’s people so government and kingdoms need each other because they use the same people.
What does this mean to Princess Komuntale?
Princess Nsemere Komuntale is King Oyo’s Princess Royal (Batebe); so, she is coming back to take over her role as Princess Royal and she will be the one next to the king always as it is her cultural role.
What are Omukama Oyo’s strategies to begin with now that he is taking full charge?
He knows better and is in a better position to talk about that but I always hear him talk of development, education and health as his priorities. But people shouldn’t push him so much, let him first finish his education; as time goes on, he will see how to do things.
Do you think he has lost his childhood in the process?
He ceased being a child long time ago when he clocked 10 years. I even at one time tried to enroll him into the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst but they told me he was still young but the dream is still on; so, now I want him to finish the degree first and then join Sandhurst. What about you; what do you do during your free time?
I have less free time while here because you (the press) made my life and that of my family dangerous. I can hardly move with ease because I fear for my life and dignity. The media has not been good to me; they have written ill about me; so, I have to be more careful but while abroad I enjoy life to the maximum. What is your favourite food and sport?
Before I lost shape I used to play netball but now I can no longer play it though I enjoy it so much. I [also] enjoy seeing Manchester United beat other teams as I feast on kalo [millet bread] and ferinda (mashed beans). Your last word to the people of Toro?
First, I would like to thank whoever has helped the king. People like President Muammar Gadaffi, President Museveni, the kings of Uganda and abroad, and individuals. For the people of Toro, we need to work together and develop our kingdom.
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Congs King mother written by MABO , April 14, 2010
You have really said it all in a nut shell. i.e the king of tooro shld not pull ropes wth govt or engage in full time political contest/confrotation wth govt becoz they(govt & kingdom) all need the same people! That was a great message. Let others(leaders) heed of your advise For God & my country.
Oyo joining army is 100% good written by MABO , April 15, 2010
Having a king wth a military back ground is the best approach the tooro people will have a leader who is fully oriented in all the dymanics of the social & political life!
Historically kings were groomed to be fighters in order to defned their countries actually they used to lead in war operation. Sir Edward was Sundhaurst trained & very good marks man! Can any body doubt his zeal to lead & liberate uganda & buganda? So dear king Oyo go ahead & join the amry. For God & my country
Clueless MABO written by Juma Kato , April 15, 2010
MABO Sir, why do you believe Queen Kemigishas words instead of studying what she does ?
She has already tought her son that if its neccessary , a King has to pull ropes with the government .In more than one way , she has brought up her son not to trust or depend on Museveni .
She has worked with Gadaffi against the advise and the wish of the government . Any King who has no political vision for his people is as good as nothing.
Ayi bambe written by harriet , April 15, 2010
MABO please coplete that phrase...Things like federo will have to be decided by the people of Toro though we are very much against the Regional Tier because it’s not elaborate enough.
DUH ! written by Nkuba Kyeyo , April 15, 2010
I am surprised that Mabo thinks that the King mother`s message is about Kingdoms not getting involved in politics . Does Mabo not understand her simple words ?
She directly says that it should be the poeple of Tooro to decide if they want federo , and that they are against the Regional Tier because its not elaborate enough . Is that not a political statement ?
... written by Mafta Mingi , April 15, 2010
Let the boy go to school , Army is for loosers in African , not good for career
... written by john , April 15, 2010
Queen mother you are so pretty, you are the queen mother of Uganda, May God bless you.
Reply to Nkuba Kyeyo,Kato & Harriet! written by MABO , April 15, 2010
Am grateful for your response! As the queen mother said the people of tooro will decide its not a guarantee tht they willl decide for a poltical kabaka! No wonder you do not see these head on confrotation wth govt. May be they are not happy wth regional tier,it may be true but remember tht it was an uder hand deal wth buganda negotiation team so does not fully bind tooro. By the way you must admit tht federo does not mean a poltical kabaka or kingdom! Tooro people may chose more devolution but not a political king! AM sure you know this but you are "slaves" of feudalism wch differ wth federalism you seem to hype naively! For God & my country.
Millitary the way to go OYO! written by Douglas , April 16, 2010
Sandhurst is the way to go.I wounder where Mafta mingi gets his Ideology of 'Military is for Loosers in Africa'.Military is what pulls out the Man in you. I cannot wait to see U on Uniform OYO!!
H.H. KING OYO ENTERS FIRING LINE written by Mugisha Abdul , April 16, 2010
Please Mama King, kindly and kindly advise our world and Toro king to desist from joining the Army, just because he has seen it with the British, Morrocco and other royals elsewhere. Here it might be a bit different because we have had bad experiences with such big people like son of HE VP Prof.Bukenya's son, who while about to finish his Military course, had an "Accident" !!Please i do not want to be seen as a sadist, but as a warning bell.Please let also Kabaka Muttebi the II, advise him to wait atleast for maybe three years to come so that HH Oyo, reconsiders his view of sandhurst, maybe by then there will be very few speeding cars on the roads of Uganda to kill ambitious good Ugandans.
... written by B42 , April 17, 2010
Govt will crash this young boy if he dares, it is a dangerous world out there for a young king who has been in an Ant hill all his life and to emerge out in this vicious world controlled by NRM. He sould instead go and study in US Harvard school of Law and Leadership train as a lawyer.
QUEEN BEST KEMIGISA, the queen mother of Rukirabasaija Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV, feels an incredible sense of relief now that her son is turning 18 to take full charge of Toro Kingdom. The empango festivities are due this weekend in Kabarole. ABU-BAKER MULUMBA caught up with her at her palace in Buziga, Kampala.
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