The Tooro Kingdom has renewed its commitment to youth empowerment as King Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV and Princess Ruth Nsemere Komuntale paid a courtesy visit to Reach A Hand Uganda (RAHU), where they launched a new youth-focused incubation initiative.
The royal delegation was received at RAHU’s headquarters in Lungujja, Kampala, where they presided over the unveiling of “Impact Forge”, a programme designed to mentor young innovators and social entrepreneurs. The initiative will provide training, networks, and resources to help youth transform their ideas into impactful solutions for their communities.
In his remarks, King Oyo said the future of Uganda rests on the energy and creativity of young people. He reaffirmed that his 25-year development agenda places youth at its centre, stressing that cultural heritage should evolve hand in hand with innovation.
“Our young people carry the responsibility of shaping tomorrow. With the right support, they can create solutions that not only preserve our traditions but also drive transformation,” he said.
Princess Komuntale echoed this message, urging society to retain positive cultural values while challenging practices that harm women and girls, such as early marriage, gender-based violence, and female genital mutilation.
“Culture must be a tool for empowerment, not oppression. We must protect what builds us while discarding what holds us back,” she told the gathering.
RAHU’s founder and Chief Executive Officer, Humphrey Nabimanya, welcomed the royal endorsement, describing it as a milestone in the organisation’s decade-long collaboration with the Tooro Kingdom. He noted that Impact Forge is intended to turn young people from passive beneficiaries into active leaders of change.
The partnership also includes plans to allocate land in Tooro for a physical hub, allowing the programme to expand its reach to Western Uganda. The first cohort of Impact Forge will support youth-led projects in health, education, culture, and civic advocacy.
The visit by King Oyo and Princess Komuntale underlines a growing synergy between cultural institutions and youth-led organisations in Uganda, offering young innovators a platform to connect heritage with modern solutions for development.