PM Byakutaga officiates Runyoro–Rutooro language finale competition in Fort Portal
“Without economic stability among our people, culture is often the first victim,” he noted
Tooro: The Prime Minister of the Bunyoro-Kitara Kingdom, Owek. Andrew Byakutaga Ateenyi, Sunday evening officiated the Runyoro–Rutooro online language competition dubbed “Galihya Obwongo” held in Fort Portal.
The competition took place at the Koogere Foundation offices and was organized by the Muvawamu Achievers Association (MAA) with the aim of promoting the Runyoro–Rutooro language and preserving cultural heritage among the youth.
Upon his arrival, Owek. Byakutaga was warmly received by the Deputy Prime Minister of the Tooro Kingdom, Owek. Harriet Nyakake Abwooli, who welcomed him to Tooro Kingdom and to the event.
While delivering his remarks as the chief guest, Owek. Byakutaga thanked the Tooro Kingdom leadership for the warm reception and commended the organizers for spearheading initiatives that promote the Runyoro–Rutooro language and culture.
He particularly applauded the efforts of the Muvawamu Achievers Association and appreciated the participation of the 20 contestants drawn from Bunyoro-Kitara and Tooro kingdoms.
The Prime Minister emphasized the deep historical and cultural ties between the Banyoro and Batooro, noting that the two communities share common roots and continue to collaborate on various development and cultural initiatives.
He further observed that both kingdoms are working closely to improve the livelihoods of their people, stressing that economic empowerment is essential for the preservation of culture.
“Without economic stability among our people, culture is often the first victim,” he noted.
Owek. Byakutaga pledged continued support from the Bunyoro-Kitara Kingdom towards the competition, describing it as an important platform not only for cultural promotion but also for empowering young people through incentives and recognition.
He concluded by congratulating the winners and participants for demonstrating exceptional knowledge of the Runyoro–Rutooro language.
The Tooro Kingdom Deputy Prime Minister, Owek. Nyakake Abwooli, also commended the initiative for strengthening cultural ties and promoting language preservation between the Bunyoro and Tooro kingdoms.
She noted that Bunyoro-Kitara is historically the mother kingdom of Tooro and several others, emphasizing the shared cultural identity between the two peoples.
Meanwhile, the Chief Executive Officer of the Muvawamu Achievers Association, Mugisa Abraham Ahamad, expressed gratitude to the Bunyoro-Kitara Kingdom Prime Minister, the Tooro Kingdom leadership, judges, and members of the public for turning up in large numbers to witness the historic competition.
He explained that the competition was largely conducted online through TikTok on the MAA platforms, attracting wide participation and viewership from language enthusiasts across the region. The grand finale, however, was held both physically at the Koogere Foundation premises and online.
The competition generated significant excitement among participants and supporters, with the overall winner walking away with a plot of land as the grand prize. The first runner-up received UGX 600,000, while the second runner-up received UGX 400,000.
The winners of the competition included Akampurra Immaculate Akiiki, Kajumba Margret Amooti, Kobusinge Scolar Abwooli, and Kobugabe Evelyne Amooti. They were awarded certificates of appreciation and cheques in recognition of their performance.
The Galihya Obwongo competition highlights the growing role of digital platforms in preserving indigenous languages while engaging the younger generation in cultural promotion and intellectual exchange.
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