Fort Portal MP flags off UNESCO delegates

Members of Rubongoya family being flagged off

The MP Fort Portal Municipality, Hon. Alex Ruhunda on Friday, 6^th December, 2019 flagged off delegates going to attend a UNESCO global meeting to be held on 9^th to 14^th December, 2019 in Bogota, Columbia – South America. Hon. Ruhunda flagged off the delegates with a Uganda flag and encouraged them to make Uganda proud by showcasing Uganda culture to the world.

The delegates who were flagged off in Kampala are the two members of the Late L.T Rubongoya family who are Deo Katekere Rubongoya and Sylivia Catherine Nyangoma

Engabu Za Tooro recognized the work of the Late L.T Rubongoya in safeguarding and promoting Tooro culture especially Tooro language and supported two members of his family to attend a UNESCO global meeting in Bogota, Columbia so as to encourage them continue with the work of Late L.T Rubongoya.

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.

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.   

Rungoya family being handed a Uganda flag at a recent event in Fort Portal

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.

Executive Director Engabu Za Tooro and CIOFF Uganda President Stephen Rwagweri Atwoki will also be attending the UNESCO global meeting to 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

The 14^thsession 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.