Bafumambogo clan members launch an education fund for the underprivileged clan members

Bafumambogo clan members of the Lui Nyakaana lineage have launched an education fund called Lui Nyakaana Education fund to assist the underprivileged but willing and determined to study members of theBafumambogo clan. Lui Nyakaana who passed on in 1984 was buried at Mukunyu, Butiiti Sub County, Kyenjojo District – Tooro Kingdom.

The education fund was launched at meeting held on Saturday, 12^thMay 2018 at Mukunyu in Kyenjojo district – Tooro Kingdom and presided over by the head of the Bafumambogo clan Mr. Stephen RwagweriAtwoki who is also a direct descendant of Lui Nyakaana and Executive Director of Engabu Za Tooro (Tooro Youth Platform for Action).

The traditional ceremonial chair of Bafumambogo clan

Engabu Za Tooro (Tooro Youth Platform for Action) is a Uganda cultural NGO accredited to provide advisory services to UNESCO (ICH Convention) and currently is implementing a two year UNESCO co-funded project aimed at safeguarding the extinction of the Empaako Intangible Cultural Heritage among the Banyoro, Batooro, Banyabindi, Batagwenda, Banyaruguru, Batuku and Ba Nyamboga.

The function which was organized to inspire people of the Empaako communities to revitalize their culture by strengthening their family and clan systems was attended by hundreds of people including the Bishop of Ruwenzori Diocese – Fort Portal Rt. Rev. Reuben Bizarwenda Kisembo and Mpumwirwe Alinaitwe Akiiki who is the head of the Bafumambogo clan in Mwenge County.

Also, the families of the direct lineage of Lui Nyakaana who attended the traditional function were the families of Kandole Phillip, family of Silas Ateenyi, family of Wenkya Nyansiyo, family of Emmanuel Kasangaki, family of Damiano Mubu and family of Yozefu Kasangaki who are direct descendants of Lui Nyakaana. During the function, the Empaako naming ritual was celebrated and Tooro traditional meals were also prepared.

The Lui Nyakaana education fund was launched by the head of the Bafumambogo clan in Tooro Kingdom – Stephen Rwagweri Atwoki who is a Mufumambogo from Kajarwagonya, Rusekere in Kabarole District.

“We are launching the Nyakaana education fund because education is the key to success. The fund will only assist Bafumambogo clan members who are determined to succeed with their education.” Said Rwagweri Atwoki.

The Bishop of Ruwenzori Diocese Rt. Rev. Reuben Kisembo speaking at the function

The education fund is named after the late Lui Nyakaana because he supported valued and encouraged education not only for his children but also for other community members, relatives and clan members. In addition, Lui Nyakaana respected the preservation of our African culture especially the Runyoro – Rutooro language, traditional dressing, traditional meals and respected the traditional institutions especially clans and Tooro Kingdom.

The Bishop of Ruwenzori Diocese who is also one of the prominent Mufumambogo clan and the treasurer of the Bafumambogo clan in Tooro Kingdom Rt. Rev. Reuben Kisembo while addressing the Bafumambogo clan members appealed to them to continue preserving their culture, educate their children and respect God in order for them to develop.

The Bafumambogo clan head, Stephen Rwagweri Atwoki having a group photo with the family of Silas Ateenyi

Rwagweri Atwoki while addressing the Bafumambogo clan members indicated that our culture is threatened with extinction because of the weakening cultural institutionslike clan and family institutions, abandoning our rituals like the Empaako naming ritual and displacement of the people from their ancestral territories. Rwagweri appealed to the people from the Empako communities to double their efforts in strengthening their institutions especially their family and clan institutions, continue to perform their cultural rituals and desist from being displaced or detached from their ancestral territories.

Engabu Za Tooro Cultural Troupe perfoming

In addition, Rwagweri Atwoki also appealed to Bafumambogo clan members to embrace and support the UNESCO co-funded project of safeguarding the Empaako intangible cultural heritage especially through documentation through writing, music and drama among others since it is a cornerstone to the preservation of the Banyoro – Batooro heritage.

During the one day function which started at 10am and ended at 8pm with a traditional meat roasting event, taking of traditional beers and entertainenment with cultural music by Master Kalenzi, Kigambo Moses Araali and Engabu Za Tooro Cultural Troupe.