Fort Portal Mayor signing in the contributions book |
Fort
Portal Municipality mayor Rev. Kintu Willy Muhanga Ateenyi has contributed UGX
100,000 to the Tutemu Engaro Self-Help Cultural Fund to enable Engabu Za Tooro
safeguard heritage threatened with extinction like Empaako, African folklore
and Koogere Oral Traditions among others.
Tutemu
Engaro Self-Help Cultural Fund will be used to offer at least 10 university
scholarships to study Runyoro/Rutooro language to students and teachers of the
language, extend Empaako programme to Basongora, Banyaruguru and Banyambooga of
DRC.
The
Self-Help Cultural Fund was launched on 23rd June 2019 by Engabu Za
Tooro Board of Directors led by Msgr. Peter Kumaraki Araali. A grand book of
contributions it is placed at Engabu Za Tooro offices and an individual, a
family, clan, institution or organization can sign in by contributing not less
than UGX 50,000. It will be closed on November 23rd 2019 ahead of
submitting report to UNESCO in December 2019.
Tutemu
Engaro contributions book along with videos, books, visual art pieces and
tangible items used in Empaako naming rituals will constitute historical
symbols of Empaako UNESCO inscription and safeguarding programmes which will be
achieved in local and international museums.
The lion effigy of Fort Portal City |
So
far, millions of shillings have been contributed by people from across the
country like the family of Omugurusi Isaya Kalya, the family of Dr. L.T
Rubongoya, Mrs Munkancwango Beatrice, Mr and Mrs Christopher Monday Kazini,
Hon. Mutunzo Peace Regis (Minister of state for Gender, Labour and Social
Development and also woman MP Bunyangabu district), Rev. Richard Baguma Adyeri,
Owek. Mwesige Zebidayo, Mr. Ernest Kalege, Mr and Mrs Eustakiyo Tibyolekezo Abbooki
Omwitira.
Omugurusi
Basaliza Rusoke (Muzeyi Kijana), Ndahura II Kashagama cultural head of
Busongora Cultural Institution, Kachaina Valentine Ateenyi, Ms. Mabiiho Winfred
Baguma, Ms. Kagaba Vanice, Mary Tibamwenda, Mr. Eribankya Paul, Mr. Kagoro
Peter, Mr. Richard Tooro, Msgr. Peter Kumaraki Araali and Mr. Kazooba
Nyamuhanga have also contributed massively.
People
can take their contributions at Engabu Za Tooro main offices located on Plot
18, Kaija Road, Kabundaire, Fort Portal – Uganda or contact the office on +256
(0) 483 422 187, +256 (0) 772 469 751 or Email: engabuzatooro@gmail.com
Mgsr. Peter Kumaraki Araali launching Tutemu Engaro Fund |
The
Tutemu Engaro Self-Help Cultural Fund is aimed at mobilizing local
contributions of Uganda Shillings 200 million towards the budget of the UNESCO
co-funded project UGA 01210 aimed at safeguarding and revitalizing Empaako
naming system.
The
fund will also establish modern mechanisms of mobilizing collective resources
and initiating community funded projects of safeguarding the Intangible
Cultural Inscription and to revitalize and entrench the community spirit of
self-reliance and solidarity in safeguarding the community’s own Intangible
Cultural Heritage.
Engabu
Za Tooro is accredited to provide advisory services to UNESCO (ICH Convention)
and accredited as an observer of the Intergovernmental Committee on
Intellectual Property and Genetic Resources, Traditional Knowledge and Folklore
by World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO).
Currently,
the organization is co-funded by UNESCO (Intangible Heritage Fund) and local
contributions to revitalize and safeguard the practice of the Empaako naming
system through community self-documentation.