Elders in Tooro Kingdom has condemned the resolution passed by the Kabarole District council members to stop singing the Kingdom Anthem at the opening of their sittings in protest of the alleged “harsh leadership” of King Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru II and Queen mother Besty Kemigisa Akiiki.
On Friday, March 12, 2021, furious council members joined Mr.Joram Bintamanya (mukono gwe’kyoma) who has for three years rejected standing or in any way honour the kingdom anthem wherever it would be sung while opening the district council.
When once asked why they behaved like such, councilors explained that they were protesting against the Kingdom’s various ‘atrocities’ against their subjects
However, elders in Tooro have since seen the act as over stepping their mandate in decision making which would’ve been made by the majority through a referendum.
According to elders, the exercise and enjoyment of rights and freedoms is inseparable front the performance of duties and obligations; and accordingly, it shall be the duty of every Mutooro not only a few members to decide for the majority.
“That is not right, even our constitution states that it’s a duty of every citizen to be patriotic and loyal to Uganda and to promote its well-being, to engage in gainful work for the good of that citizen, the family and the common good and to contribute to national development, to contribute to the well-being of the community where that citizen lives, to promote responsible parenthood, to foster national unity and live in harmony with others, to promote democracy and the rule of law; to acquaint himself or herself with the provisions of the Constitution and to uphold and defend the Constitution and the law. But according to councilors, no resident was consulted.”
“But they just took up their personal grievances to decide on behalf of the majority which is illegal,” said Rtd. Col. Steven Basaliza one of the disappoited elders.
The disappoited elder further stated that district councilors are subordinate to the constitution and article 37 of the Right to culture and similar rights states that “Every person has a right as applicable to belong to, enjoy, practice, profess, maintain and promote any culture, cultural institution, language. tradition, creed or religion in community with others.”
Another elder was quoted wondering which law councilors followed to ban a Kingdom anthem. “What will the district council do to someone who sings the anthem? Any legal sanction or the order is redundant? Restraint should be exercised for some actions. God bless us. ” He Said.
According to Hon. Basaliza, Article 41 of the constitution states that every citizen has a right of access to information in the affairs possession of the State or any other organ or agency of the State except in where the release of the information is likely to prejudice the security or sovereignty of the State or interfere with the right to the privacy of any der person.
The development comes a few days after the reigning King of Tooro Kingdom, Rukirabasaija Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV Amooti, Queen mother Best Kemigisa Akiiki and government were dragged to court over Kingdom property scandals.