King Oyo urges subjects to plant trees to combat climate change

During celebrations held at the kingdom headquarters, Karuziika in Fort Portal City, the King addressed the pressing issue of environmental degradation, which he said has altered weather patterns and severely impacted the seasons.

“We are experiencing severe droughts due to environmental degradation, which has greatly affected our planting seasons. We no longer receive the adequate rains we used to, posing a significant challenge to all of us,” Oyo said.

He pointed out that environmental degradation has led to disastrous events such as floods, landslides, and droughts, resulting in loss of lives, property, and displacement of thousands of people.

Oyo called on the public to actively participate in environmental conservation to mitigate these disasters. He also expressed sympathy for the people of Ntoroko district, who were displaced by flooding from River Semliki early last month, leaving many homeless. He appealed to the government to assist in relocating these displaced individuals to safer areas.

In his address, Oyo also warned politicians against spreading false information about the kingdom. He criticized those claiming that settlers on kingdom land would be expelled, emphasising that such statements are unfounded and politically motivated.

“I have heard that some individuals are spreading falsehoods about expelling people from kingdom land. These claims are untrue and politically driven. No one has the authority to remove anyone from kingdom land,” he stressed.

He advised those residing on kingdom land to work with the Kingdom Land Board to secure proper documentation, such as leases or letters of authorisation, to confirm their legal occupancy.

During the anniversary celebrations, King Oyo encouraged his subjects to utilize the model farm in Bugaaki Kyenjojo district, which provides free learning opportunities on various farming enterprises and modern agricultural technologies. He also announced plans to establish additional model farms in each county in the future.

The Bugaaki Sub-county farm features nine agricultural enterprises, including dairy farming, mango cultivation, fish farming, coffee production, banana plantations, tomato farming, goat rearing, and poultry.

Combating HIV/AIDS

As a UNAIDS ambassador, King Oyo highlighted the ongoing challenge of HIV/AIDS in the region. Despite efforts to raise awareness and promote prevention, the prevalence rate remains high, currently at 14.1% in Fort Portal City, according to a recent Uganda AIDS Commission report.

“HIV/AIDS is on the rise again, despite our efforts to combat it. This is concerning and needs urgent attention,” King Oyo warned.

Bishop Reuben Kisembo of Ruwenzori Diocese, who led prayers at St. John’s Cathedral for the coronation anniversary, commended the Queen Mother Best Kemigisha for her role in nurturing King Oyo since he assumed the throne as a child in 1995. He also encouraged the King to consider marriage, a suggestion he has made before.

In his sermon, Bishop Kisembo criticised corruption in government, emphasising that it impedes national progress. He called for responsible financial management to ensure the success of new cities and improve governance.

About King Oyo

Born on April 16, 1992, King Oyo is the 12th ruler of Tooro Kingdom. He ascended the throne at the age of three following his father’s death in 1995, making him the youngest monarch in the world. In 2016, he was appointed UNAIDS ambassador and has since been involved in various health initiatives, including a 2020 memorandum of understanding with the Ministry of Health to address health concerns in Tooro.