Tooro Kingdom Honors Late King Oyo: A One-Million Tree Legacy Initiative Launched in Fort Portal.
By Stephen Ainganiza, Senior Communication Officer-Fort Portal City
The Tooro Kingdom and Fort Portal Tourism City have officially launched an ambitious environmental campaign to plant one million trees and flowers to honor the enduring legacy of the late King Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru IV.
Led by the State Minister for Urban Development, Hon. Margaret Muhanga Mugisa Abwooli, alongside Fort Portal City Mayor Rev. Willy Kintu Muhanga, and Fort Portal Diocese Bishop Dr. Robert Muhiirwa, hundreds of local leaders and subjects took to the streets on Saturday 29th August to kick off a dedicated week of mourning through environmental action.
The commemorative activities began with a massive community cleaning drive on Saturday. The leadership team and community members convened at Fuelex before sweeping through Kisenyi, Rwengoma, the Lorry Park, and Kahungabunyonyi.
The cleaning cohort later gathered at FINS Medical University, where Hon. Margaret Muhanga addressed the public, highlighting the profound connection between the late King’s life and environmental conservation.
Minister Muhanga emphasized that the late King Oyo was deeply committed to the green movement restoring the environment. He spent much of his reign mobilizing subjects to plant trees and personally distributing seedlings.
“King Oyo left behind a powerful legacy of environmental restoration,” Minister Muhanga said. “He consistently rallied his people to protect nature, and the finest way we can celebrate and emulate his life is to sustain his work. We are dedicating this week of mourning to planting one million trees and flowers across Fort Portal and the greater Tooro region.”
The Minister urged all regional leaders and citizens to actively participate in the greening campaign. She also challenged residents to take personal responsibility for their surroundings by refraining from littering and maintaining clean premises.
Muhanga said, “70 percent of the diseases our people are suffering are preventable. The garbage and littering of of the city harbours mosquitos and bacteria which infect our people. We need to clean our areas and I urge the business community to clean and slash areas around your premises”
Fort Portal City Mayor, Rev. Willy Kintu Muhanga, noted that the late King’s vision was anchored on a robust “Greening Campaign.” He formally called upon all subjects to join the week-long tree-planting exercise to turn the King’s vision into reality.
This regional mobilization follows a special sitting convened by the Fort Portal City Council on Friday. During the session, the council resolved to officially dedicate a one-week mourning period specifically focused on achieving the one-million-tree target.
The trees will be planted around the streets, roads, administrative units, schools, colleges, universities, villages, rivers and streams and worship centers. The exercise kicks off on Monday and ends on Ssturday.
As the week unfolds, Fort Portal City leaders and, minister Muhanga continue to rally the people of Tooro to transform their grief into a lasting environmental triumph, ensuring that King Oyo’s passion for a greener Uganda endures for generations to come.
The 34-year-old king, who ascended to the throne at the tender age of three, passed away on Thursday 27th August at 10:00pm in the United States, leaving a void in the hearts of his subjects and the broader Ugandan community. His death marks the end of an era characterized by youthful leadership, developmental initiatives, and a deep commitment to his people.
May the Soul of King Oyo rest in eternal peace?