Engabu Za Tooro recognizes the work of the Late L.T Rubongoya, two members of his family offered invitations to attend a UNESCO global meeting

The family of L.T Rubongoya

Engabu Za Tooro has recognized the work of the Late L.T Rubongoya in safeguarding and promoting Tooro culture especially Tooro language. Two members of his family have been supported to attend a UNESCO global meeting to be held on 9^th to 14^th December, 2019 in Bogota, Columbia – South America.

The two members of the Late L.T Rubongoya family who were given an invitation from UNESCO to enable them use the UNESCO global meeting to showcase the work of the Late L.T Rubongoya to the world. The invitations were presented to them by Engabu Za Tooro Board Chairperson Msgr. Peter Kumaraki Araali on Saturday, 16^th November, 2019 at the home of the late L.T Rubongoya in Kigwengwe Vilage, Karambi Sub County – Kabarole district.

In the global UNESCO meeting, delegates from across the world will stand for a minute and raise their country’s flags to recognize the work of the Late L.T Rubongoya in safeguarding Tooro culture and language.   

During the same UNESCO global meeting, Engabu Za Tooro will submit a final report and audio – visual materials on the implementation of a UNESCO co-funded Empaako project aimed at documenting and revitalizing Empaako naming rituals and practices among the five communities of the Batooro, Banyoro, Batagwenda, Banyabindi and Batuku.

The works of the Late Dr. L.T Rubongoya publications, Tutemu Engaro contributions book will also be submitted to UNESCO which will allow them to be showcased at the UNESCO exhibition centre for five days.

Engabu Za Tooro Board members

According to the Executive Director Engabu Za Tooro and CIOFF Uganda President Stephen Rwagweri Atwoki, members of the Late L.T Rubongoya were supported to attend the UNESCO global meeting in Bogota so as to encourage them continue with the work of Late L.T Rubongoya.

The invitation letters to attend a UNESCO global meeting given to the family of the Late L.T Rubongoya was also aimed at encouraging people from Empaako communities to safeguard and revitalize their culture through community self-documentation.

The late Dr. L. T. Rubongoya Atwoki published many books in Runyoro – Rutooro like Runyoro – Rutooro english dictionary (Katondogorozi), Naaho Nubo book (The ways of our ancestors), Modern Runyoro Rutooro Grammar, Linda Engeso n’orulimi rw’Ihanga, Kibbaate Kya Kaseegu, Yega kusoma n’okuhandiika Orunyoro-Rutooro Omulingo ogundi and Scripted countless folk plays among others.

The 14^th session of UNESCO’s Intergovernmental Committee for Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage, organized by UNESCO and hosted by the Government of the Republic of Columbia will attract hundreds of people across the world who will include ministers of culture from all over the world, UNESCO ambassadors, culture experts, artists and funding bodies in the field of arts and culture among others.

Currently, Engabu Za Tooro is implementing a UNESCO co-funded Project UGA 01210 which is on documentation and revitalization of Empaako naming rituals and practices.