Museveni Calls on Cultural Institutions to Foster Wealth Creation.
During the 30th Empango celebrations at Rukurato chambers, President Museveni, through a speech delivered by Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja, emphasized the pivotal role of cultural institutions in uniting people and fostering development. President Museveni elaborated on the motivations behind the restoration of these institutions, underscoring their potential as a unifying force.
He urged cultural leaders to leverage their influence to mobilize communities for development. Museveni highlighted several lucrative sectors, including information technology, commercial agriculture, industries, and hospitality, as key areas for engagement. “Cultural institutions are very powerful. When they speak, their subjects listen. It’s high time you guide them well so we can eliminate poverty, reduce unemployment, and foster national growth with widespread employment,” he asserted.
Moreover, Museveni stressed the importance of cultural preservation in promoting cultural tourism. He called on traditional leaders to safeguard cultural heritage, including traditional meals, trees, sites, monuments, and tombs. “There are many who travel from abroad to experience our diverse cultures. If these cultural assets are not preserved, we risk losing foreign exchange earnings and diminishing cultural tourism,” he cautioned.
Prime Minister Nabbanja echoed these sentiments, expressing concern over the Bunyoro community’s underutilization of regional development opportunities in the hospitality sector. She urged Banyoro living in Kampala and abroad to return and invest in their homeland, noting significant infrastructure improvements. “The roads are improved, power supply is stable, water is available, and peace and security are assured. The region is growing rapidly. Although we have some hotels, we need more, especially with the upcoming AFCON and the burgeoning oil and gas industry,” Nabbanja stated.
The 30th Empango coronation anniversary was notably marked for the third time without the presence of Omukama Dr. Solomon Gafabusa Iguru I, who has been ill since his last public appearance in 2019. Despite his absence, the event underscored the enduring significance of cultural institutions in uniting and guiding communities towards a prosperous future.