Author Archives: kazooba Joseph

Fort Portal City Mayor Rev. Kintu Willy Muhanga has called on residents and business owners to take an active role in the National Clean-Up Day campaign to improve sanitation, hygiene and the city’s appearance.

The Government of Uganda has designated the last Saturday of every month for clean-up activities in cities and urban centres. Businesses are expected to close from 7:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. to allow everyone to participate.

While residents, businesses, financial institutions and civil society organisations in many urban centres in Uganda have embraced the campaign, participation in Fort Portal remains limited. Although shops, banks, pharmacies and other businesses close during the designated hours, many business owners do not join the clean-up. As a result, city authorities, schools and police often carry out much of the work.

The September, 2026 National Clean Up, Fort Portal stated from Mpanga market when the cleaners were first addressed by the leaders, they later moved to Kabundaire , Fort Portal Secondary, Public library a, to Balya street and ended at the kingdom palce entrance.

Mayor Muhanga urged residents and businesses to treat the campaign as a shared civic responsibility—not simply a government initiative. He said the city could make lasting progress only if everyone worked together, adding that authorities would enforce the requirements.

Fort Portal Central MP Hon. Ronald Muhenda Omusoromi said the city could not live up to its Tourism City status unless residents took responsibility for keeping it clean. He praised school administrators for involving children and young people, saying the experience would help them grow up respecting their city and the environment.

The Fort Portal Woman MP, Hon. Linda Irene, also urged residents to participate in the clean-up and maintain good sanitation and hygiene at home. A clean city, she said, would help attract more visitors.

Assistant Principal Town Clerk Peter Kusemererwa, who led the clean-up team, said a greener, cleaner city could attract both investors and tourists. He announced another clean-up drive for Monday, 28 September, starting at Rwengoma Palace, ahead of Empango and the enthronement of Prince Edward Rukidi Nyabongo I on Tuesday, 29 September 2026 as new king.

By Stephen Ainganiza , Senior Communications Officer , Fort Portal City

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 29^th 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 27^th 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? 

Fort Portal City, the heart of Uganda’s tourism and cultural heritage, stands in solemn remembrance of a remarkable leader whose life and legacy continue to inspire generations in Tooro and beyond. The passing of His Majesty King Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Rukidi IV, the young and visionary monarch of the Tooro Kingdom, has left an indelible void not only in the cultural fabric of the region but also in the socio-economic development of Fort Portal and Uganda at large.

 As the city’s leadership, community members, and well-wishers reflect on his extraordinary life, we pay tribute to a king whose leadership transcended age and whose vision shaped the future of Tooro and Uganda.

The entire nation and particularly Fort Portal Tourism City’s residents were deeply shocked and saddened by the news of King Oyo’s demise, announced on a poignant Thursday evening by the Prime Minister of Tooro, Hon. Calvin Armstrong Rwomiire. At only 34 years old, King Oyo had already carved a distinguished path as a leader committed to his people’s welfare, cultural preservation, and national development. His death leaves a profound void, yet his legacy remains a guiding light for all who seek to build a better, more vibrant future.

King Oyo’s leadership was characterized by resilience, innovation, and a deep sense of service. From a young age, he demonstrated unwavering dedication to preserving the rich cultural heritage of the Tooro Kingdom. He was a staunch advocate for traditional ceremonies, dances, and customs, ensuring that the traditions of Tooro remained alive and vibrant in the modern era. Under his stewardship, the kingdom successfully balanced modernization with cultural preservation, fostering a sense of pride and identity among his subjects. His efforts to promote and celebrate Tooro’s unique heritage earned the kingdom a distinguished place on Uganda’s cultural map.

Beyond cultural stewardship, King Oyo’s vision extended into socio-economic development, with a focus on empowering youth and promoting sustainable growth. Recognizing that the future of Tooro rested in the hands of its young people, he launched numerous initiatives aimed at education, skills development, and entrepreneurship. Under his patronage, youth groups received vital support to venture into agriculture, crafts, technology, and other sustainable livelihoods. His emphasis on youth empowerment sought to create a generation capable of driving Uganda’s socio-economic transformation.

Agriculture, especially coffee and cocoa production, was another pillar of his development agenda. King Oyo facilitated access to agricultural inputs, training, and markets, thereby increasing farmers’ incomes and contributing to Uganda’s export capacity. His efforts fostered economic resilience among local farmers, anchoring Fort Portal’s reputation as a key economic hub within Uganda.

Environmental conservation was also a core aspect of his leadership. King Oyo championed ecological restoration through initiatives such as the ambitious “One Million Trees campaign’. He collaborated with environmentalists, schools, and communities to plant thousands of trees, combating deforestation, climate change, and land degradation. His commitment to environmental sustainability aimed to safeguard natural resources for future generations, ensuring that the beauty and biodiversity of Fort Portal and Tooro are preserved.

Public health was another vital area where King Oyo’s influence was felt. As an HIV Global Ambassador, he actively supported awareness campaigns, testing, and counseling services, helping to reduce stigma and promote healthier lifestyles. His leadership in health advocacy contributed to Uganda’s ongoing efforts to combat HIV/AIDS, making a tangible difference in communities across Tooro.

Under his reign, Fort Portal emerged as a prominent tourism destination, celebrated for its scenic landscapes, rich cultural traditions, and diverse biodiversity. The king prioritized the development of tourism infrastructure, cultural festivals liken” Empango Ha Kyoto Cultural Festive” and community-based tourism initiatives to showcase Tooro’s heritage to the world. His vision was to position Fort Portal as Uganda’s “Tourism City,” attracting visitors and boosting local economies while ensuring environmental and cultural sustainability.

King Oyo’s legacy extends beyond his age and immediate accomplishments; it embodies resilience, compassion, and a forward-looking vision. He inspired countless young people to pursue education through offering bursaries and scholarships to needy students, entrepreneurship, and community service. His environmental initiatives and focus on healthcare and tourism have left enduring imprints on Tooro and Uganda as a whole.

In honor of his legacy, communities and organizations have continued to rally around his initiatives. Notably, a cancer awareness run organized by Rotarians in Fort Portal and Kabarole district exemplifies this commitment, raising funds for cancer treatment and continuing his mission of promoting health and community well-being.

As Fort Portal City’s leadership, we reaffirm our commitment to carrying forward King Oyo’s vision. We have already begun planting over 500 trees in the city center and along major roads, Karambi Hagasani  and distributing 4350 tree seedlings to residents, and beautifying the city with flowers at strategic locations including the King’s palace entrance. This has cost the city council shs8.5m. Our plans include establishing an Information Hub at the Public Library to connect youth and job seekers with employment opportunities, furthering his vision of socio-economic upliftment.

King Oyo’s life is a testament to leadership rooted in service, culture, and community. His unwavering dedication to his people, his efforts to preserve the cultural heritage, and his pursuit of sustainable development inspire us all. As we mourn his loss, we celebrate his remarkable journey and the enduring legacy he leaves behind. His spirit of hope, resilience, and proactive leadership continues to guide us in building a greener, healthier, and more prosperous Fort Portal Tourism City and Tooro.

May his soul rest in eternal peace, knowing that his legacy lives on in the hearts and actions of those he inspired. We honor his memory by recommitting ourselves to the ideals he stood for and by working tirelessly to realize his vision for a better future.

“Atulize Agutamba”

His Worship Rev. Kintu Willy Muhanga

Mayor of Fort Portal Tourism City

The Fort Portal City Council has convened a somber, extraordinary session to pay tribute to His Majesty King Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru IV Amooti, the revered monarch of Tooro Kingdom, whose sudden passing has plunged the nation into deep mourning.

 The devastating news was broken on Thursday by the Tooro Kingdom Prime Minister, Hon. Calvin Armstrong Rwomiire, who announced that the King had passed away at 10:00 PM, enveloping the entire country in disbelief and grief. 

Born on April 16, 1992, King Oyo historically ascended the throne on September 12, 1995, at the tender age of three, entering the global stage as the world’s youngest reigning monarch.

 He passed away at the age of 34, leaving behind a monumental legacy of leadership, cultural preservation, and socio-economic transformation.

During the emotionally charged council sitting convened at Tooro Botanical Gardens, Fort Portal City Mayor, Rev. Kintu Willy Muhanga, delivered a moving eulogy, describing King Oyo as far more than a traditional ruler. He emphasized that the King was a symbol of identity, the true face of Tooro, and a profound source of institutional pride. 

The Mayor noted that the King played a pivotal role in helping the world discover Fort Portal as Uganda’s tourism city, adding that the municipality has lost a dedicated patron, a cultural father, and an irreplaceable global ambassador.

 According to Mayor Muhanga, the King believed that tourism was fundamentally about restoring the dignity of his people, preserving cultural heritage, protecting the environment, and unlocking global economic opportunities.

The Mayor further observed that His Majesty strategically positioned tourism as a foundational pillar of the Tooro Kingdom Vision 2045, an ambitious development blueprint launched in 2021 during his 26th coronation anniversary. 

This vision placed sustainable tourism at the center of community empowerment and livelihood transformation. King Oyo is also celebrated for championing the renowned “Ekyeto Ha Mpango Festival”, an initiative that drastically boosted both domestic and international tourism. In a historic display of leadership and physical endurance, the King led a 10-day “Rwenzori Royal Expedition” in July 2022, successfully summiting Margherita Peak at 5,109 meters above sea level to promote the region’s natural wonders.

The special council session heard multiple testimonies from local leaders who highlighted the King’s hands-on approach to grassroots development. 

Hon. Tadeo Balisanga, the councillor representing the elderly, praised King Oyo for driving his subjects toward economic independence by personally distributing coffee, cocoa, and tree seedlings to alleviate poverty. 

Fort Portal City Deputy Mayor, Hon. Margaret Kabajwara, observed that the King’s reign was defined by his ability to unite the people of Tooro while relentlessly marketing the tourism city to the international community.

Environmental conservation stood out as another cornerstone of the fallen monarch’s legacy. Hon. Margaret Muhanga Mugisa, the Minister of State for Urban Development, described King Oyo as a visionary leader who passionately desired the restoration of the environment through aggressive tree-planting campaigns.

 Minister Muhanga strongly urged the people of Tooro and the leadership of Fort Portal City to honor the King’s memory by emulating his green vision legacy. She called for a renewed commitment to planting trees and greening both the city and the wider Tooro region to combat environmental degradation and climate change issues. 

Leaders and subjects alike in council united in grief, praying for the peaceful rest of a magnificent king who dedicated his short but impactful life to his people.