“we continuously seek to learn and search for creative solutions to the problems of our time”, says Engabu Za Tooro (Tooro Youth platform for Action) Executive Director Stephen Rwagweri in a statement for the organizations 2017 annual report.

Stephen Rwagweri Atwoki (standing in green suit) during one of the clan leader’s training on culture.

The Executive Director Engabu Za Tooro (Tooro Youth platform for Action) Mr. Stephen Rwagweri Atwoki has appealed to the Empaako communities to continuously seek to learn and search for creative solutions to the problems of our time in his statement for organizations 2017 annual report.

EZT 2017 annual report

During 2017, 2017 Engabu Za Tooro (Tooro Youth platform for Action) launched implementation of our five year strategic plan which is designed to take the organization to another level in implementation of it mission that is continuously adapted to the changing circumstances by conducting the following strategic activities as noted below;

Engabu Za Tooro consolidated the initiation of programmes areas which are built on developing cultural heritage as a critical resource in the development and using the cultural-based approach in tackling social problems.

The organization also built the capacity of staff to develop cultural professionals for the communities and the country who will advance cultural programming and participate in UNESCO’s International Mechanisms on Culture.

Engabu Za Tooro also consolidated, developed and initiated broad national and international networks and finally, the organization consolidated a diversified resource mobilization strategy that hinges on harnessing local resources and attracting international contributions.

Msgr. Peter Kumaraki Araali

Chairperson, Board of Directors and also the head of the Empaako safeguarding committee Msgr. Peter Kumaraki Araali appealed to institutions and individuals both in Uganda and beyond to enable Engabu Za Tooro (Tooro Youth platform for Action) join hands by contributing moral and material resources to enable the continuation in executing efforts in safeguarding their culture.

Engabu Za Tooro (Tooro Youth platform for Action) is currently implementing a two (2) year UNESCO co-funded project aimed at safeguarding the Empaako naming system among the communities of Batooro, Banyoro, Banyabindi, Basongora, Batuku, Batagwenda, Banyaruguru, Bagungu, Ba Nya Mboga and Baziba located in Western Uganda, Eastern DR Congo and Northern Tanzania respectively which has been shared and transmitted from generation to generation in Empaako communities.

Empaako is naming system whereby in addition to a family and given name, a child is given a special name called Empaako selected from a fixed and closed list of 12 (twelve) Empaako names shared by the entire society and used as a declaration of respect, endearment or affection.

The 12 Empaako names

The 12 Empaako’s are Okaali which is reserved for a king, Acaali, Bbala, Apuuli and Araali which are only reserved for men and finally, Abbooki, Adyeri, Abwoli, Akiiki, Amooti, Ateenyi and Atwoki for both men and women.

However, the Empaako naming practice is facing threats of extinction mostly due to decline of its mother language (Runyoro - Rutooro), modernization, abandoning our traditional rituals, weakening cultural institutions, and attack from modern religious extremist denominations. 

To download the full 2017 annual report, click on this link Engabu Za Tooro (Tooro Youth platform for Action) 2017 annual report