Rukirabasaija Omukama Oyo welcomes President Museveni to the Karuzika in Fortportal yesterday. The President had just arrived to attend the closing ceremony of the launch of Africa Queens and Leaders Network Conference last year.

Tooro Kingdom is demanding an apology from President Yoweri Museveni for the ‘disrespectful’ remarks made against the King of Tooro, Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV.

A press release signed by Steven Kaliba, the Prime Minister Tooro Kingdom, accused President Museveni of undermining King Oyo and his subjects.

On Wednesday while addressing a press conference, President Museveni who was reacting to reports that King Oyo will fast protesting the installation of cultural leaders in kingdoms namely; – Obusinga Bwa Rwenzururu in Kasese and Obundingiya Bwa Bamba in Bundibugyo, allegedly referred to King Oyo as ‘that boy of Tooro’.

He is also reported to have said that the fasting will help King Oyo to guard his weight and remain fit.

Kaliba says that the President’s statements are culturally and morally unacceptable and are a sign of disrespect towards the King and the people of Tooro. He adds that the president’s support to King Oyo shouldn’t translate into an advantage to use inappropriate language towards the King.

According to the press release copied to all cultural leaders in the country, Kaliba states that it’s unacceptable for the President who holds a special status entrusted onto him by the people of Tooro as a guardian of King Oyo and defender of the crown (Mujwarakondo), to undermine the King. Kaliba wants the president to withdraw the words he used against the King and also apologize to Oyo and the people of Tooro.

Kaliba also denied recent media reports that King Oyo is on a Hunger strike, saying that Oyo will allocate time next month on his private schedule to fast and pray as a cultural and religious belief.

According to Kaliba, Oyo was supposed to start fasting today, but has decided to postpone it to next month, when he will be in Fort Portal.

Last month, Lt. Col. Martin Ayongi Kamya was crowned Bamba cultural leader at a function attended by President Museveni. Tooro Kingdom argues that recognizing Bamba cultural institution is aimed at weakening Tooro Kingdom’s power and supremacy and has caused ethnic and tribal tensions in the region.