The Prime Minister of the Tooro Kingdom, Calvin Armstrong Akiiki, has urged the people of the kingdom to remain united and exercise restraint as preparations intensify for the return and burial of the late Omukama. Akiiki made the appeal in a statement via his X handle, on Thursday, September 3,……
The Prime Minister of the Tooro Kingdom, Calvin Armstrong Akiiki, has urged the people of the kingdom to remain united and exercise restraint as preparations intensify for the return and burial of the late Omukama.
Akiiki made the appeal in a statement via his X handle, on Thursday, September 3, saying the death of the King required the people of Tooro to prioritise dignity, unity and respect for his legacy rather than disagreements and speculation.
He said, “We have lost our King. We have lost a son of Tooro whose life, leadership and service carried the name of our Kingdom far beyond our borders.”
According to him, the period of mourning was not the appropriate time for disagreements or competing narratives to dominate public discourse.
“At this moment, our responsibility is not to allow disagreements, speculation or competing narratives to define these final days. Our responsibility is to protect His Majesty’s memory, honour his legacy and give him the dignified farewell he deserves,” he said.
Akiiki also called on Kingdom leaders and other stakeholders to provide leadership and avoid actions that could deepen divisions among the people.
“Moments like these require leadership, not posturing. They require less talking and more organising,” he said.
....: Ugandan Flags To Fly At Half Mast For King Oyo
He acknowledged that emotions were high among the people but urged them to rise above their grief and focus on ensuring a dignified farewell for the late King.
“The world is watching us, but more importantly, the people of Tooro are looking to us for leadership. How we conduct ourselves during this difficult period reflects on all Batooro,” he said.
The Prime Minister further addressed questions surrounding the late King’s time abroad and the information previously communicated about his health.
Akiiki explained that the information given to the public that the King was abroad studying and was subsequently well had been communicated in line with the monarch’s wishes.
“The information communicated to the public that His Majesty was abroad studying, and subsequently that he was well, was communicated in accordance with His Majesty’s express wishes and direction,” he said.
He added, “As someone serving him, it was my responsibility to respect his wishes and protect his privacy. I did so faithfully and respectfully.”
Akiiki said he remained confident that the late King had acted in good faith, adding that the monarch had expected to recover and return home to reunite with his people for the 31st Empango.
“He was confident in his recovery and was looking forward to returning home and reuniting with his people for the 31st Empango. He did not want to cause unnecessary alarm among his people,” he said.
The Tooro Kingdom Prime Minister said other issues raised over the circumstances surrounding the King’s final days should be addressed at an appropriate time after his burial.
“There will be a proper time and forum, after His Majesty has been laid to rest, to address any matters that require clarification. For now, everything else is secondary,” he said.
He specifically appealed to Kingdom leaders, cultural leaders, public officials, journalists, commentators and social media users to exercise restraint in their public comments.
“Words spoken in moments of grief can deepen divisions that may take years to repair,” Akiiki said, urging stakeholders to choose words and actions that would promote unity.
He also appealed to the public to respect the privacy of the Royal Family and those who were closest to the late King, saying they should be allowed to mourn without unnecessary intrusion or pressure.
“Our duty now is simple: to receive our King with honour, lay him to rest with dignity, and stand together as one people,” he said.
Akiiki said the conduct of the people during the mourning period would shape how future generations remember the kingdom’s response to the loss of its King.
“Let them remember a people who chose unity over division, service over posturing, and leadership over controversy,” he said.
He concluded by urging the people of Tooro to remain focused on giving the late King a peaceful and dignified farewell.
“In all that we say and do, Tooro must come first,” Akiiki said.
