JINJA, Uganda — The Minister for the Presidency, Hon. Babirye Milly Babalanda, on Friday paid a glowing tribute to the late King of Tooro, His Majesty Omukama Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV, who passed away at the age of 34 during the closure of a Seventh-day Adventist Camp Retreat in Jinja District.
Speaking today at Ivunamba SDA Church Zone in Jinja District, where she presided over the closure of the 7-day camp retreat organised by the SDA Busoga field Ministry, Minister Babalanda extended her heartfelt condolences to the bereaved royal family and the people of Tooro and Uganda as a whole.
"I pay tribute to His Majesty Omukama Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV, the King of Tooro Kingdom, who passed away at such a young age. His Majesty King Oyo will be remembered as a young, visionary and peace-loving King who ascended to the throne at a tender age and steered Tooro Kingdom with dignity, wisdom beyond his age, and a deep commitment to culture, education, youth empowerment, health and environmental conservation," the Minister said.
In her main address, Minister Babalanda conveyed warm greetings from H.E. President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, First Lady Maama Janet Kataaha Museveni, the Secretary of the Office of the President, Hajji Yunus Kakande, and the entire staff of the Office of the President.
The minister commended the SDA Church pastors and the SDA Busoga Field leadership and believers for dedicating seven days to divine prayer, Bible study and fellowship.
She reiterated that under H.E. President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, the NRM Government has guaranteed freedom of worship and recognises religious institutions as vital partners in national development, unity and moral transformation.
The minister used the platform to rally the faithful to embrace government wealth creation programmes, including the Parish Development Model (PDM), Emyooga, Youth Livelihood Programme, Operation Wealth Creation (OWC), and the GROW Project, noting that the government has invested heavily to defeat poverty.
She urged the congregation to adopt the Four-Acre Model for sustainable household income – Acre 1 for coffee, Acre 2 for fruits, Acre 3 for food crops, and Acre 4 for pasture for zero-grazing, plus backyard projects like vegetables and poultry for eggs.
"In this term of leadership, H.E. the President has given us two clear assignments: to fight corruption and to work hard. There must be 'No Sleeping'," she said.
She concluded by encouraging believers to trust in God to bless the work of their hands and rallied them to participate in the National Cleaning Exercise on Sunday, 30th August, as guided by H.E. the President to the SDA faithful.
For comments, feedback and more information, reach us through calls or WhatsApp on 0793645302 or 0730233507
