By Mariam Nanyanzi
Tooro Kingdom is seeking nearly Shs1billion f0r the planned enthronement of Prince Edward Kijanangoma Rukidi Nyabongo I as the new king.
According tio the central organising committee , they need Shs925 million to prepare for the one-day coronation ceremony.
The coronation, scheduled for September 29, will formally mark the beginning of the reign of Nyabongo I, who was selected by the Babiito royal clan to succeed the late Omukama Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV.
The organising committee says it is racing against time to raise the money and complete preparations for an event that will combine religious proceedings, royal ceremonies and traditional rituals.
Fr Isaiah Mayombo, the chairperson of the central organising committee, said on Saturday that several subcommittees had been established and their budgets consolidated as preparations entered a critical stage.
“We are planning and meeting all the people with all structures of the kingdom in planning; we want this coronation to be organised well. This is different from other coronations where we have been celebrating anniversaries; this is for the coronation; we have a single day to do the function; we need Shs925 million; we asked all partners and other people to contribute,” he said during a preparatory meeting at Karuzika Palace in Fort Portal City.
Fr Mayombo said the committee wants all major preparations completed by September 27, two days before the coronation.
“If the resources are made available, by September 27, all things needed for the function should be in place, only waiting for the coronation day,” he said, adding that the organising team is also working with members in Kampala on resource mobilisation.
The committee has established teams responsible for palace affairs, entertainment, health, protocol, welfare, transport, publicity, works and decoration, finance and other areas.
Mr Alex Ruhunda, the chairperson of the finance committee, said Shs220 million has been allocated to works, decoration and hiring of tents, while Shs300 million will cater for welfare.
Entertainment will take Shs30 million, health Shs25 million, transport Shs25 million, publicity Shs70 million, protocol Shs10 million and palace affairs Shs100 million.
The budget also provides Shs30 million for rituals, Shs50 million for civil works, Shs10 million for security and Shs50 million for event coordination, with the balance covering other activities.
Mr Ruhunda said the budget had been shared with potential supporters, including President Museveni, non-governmental organisations and other partners.
Mr Richard Rwabuhinga, the head of the protocol committee, said preparations for the guest list were also advanced and 5,000 invitation cards had been prepared.
He said 3,000 physical invitation cards would start being issued on Monday, while another 2,000 invitations would be sent electronically.
President Museveni is expected to be the chief guest, according to the organising committee.
“Among other guests we have invited are the Kingdoms of Buganda, Bunyoro, Busoga and Rwenzururu, among others. We have invited the Speaker of Parliament and Deputy Speaker, MPs, together with Cabinet ministers, and we are extending invitations to other embassies,” Mr Rwabuhinga said.
Unlike the annual Empango celebrations held during the reign of the late Oyo, the September 29 event will be an enthronement ceremony rather than a coronation anniversary.
However, the committee says the event will have more cultural significance beginning on the night of September 28.