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Preparations are in high gear for the first ever edition of ” Ekyooto Ha Mpango” Tourism Festival slated for 24th to 28th November in Tooro city under the theme Harnessing the power of your culture.
The Ekyooto Ha Mpango festival is a cultural festival showcasing Tooro Kingdom’s rich history and cultural heritage; exhibiting innovations recently launched by the King Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru IV who said “If Uganda is the Pearl of Africa, then the Tooro Kingdom is the jewel of the pearl”
A number of activities activities have been set for the festival including Royal Tour, Business Clinics, Music Festival and Kyoto Forum, Tourism and Cultural Expo, Plant for Hope, Clean up Fort Portal Incentive and Tourism Specials among others.
Mr. Vivian Lyazi Commissioner Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities said that the festival will greatly contribute to the development of the tourism sector in Fort portal and Uganda at large especially now that the country is recovering from the negative effects of Covid19.
He also emphasized that this festival will help kick start the country’s economy as it is a good time to tap onto the economy through accommodation, Hospitality, restaurants etc.
He added that Culture is under-stated when it comes to Tourism yet it is one of the biggest tourism attractions across the world, adding that Tooro has one of the best cultures that will be tapped into.
As one of the partners for the festival, the Chief Executive Officer Capital FM Mr Peter Mungoma encouraged other media houses and every Ugandan to engage in activities that promote culture and tourism since they are things that define us.
He adds that Capital Radio and Fort portal have a very strong relationship and history with research showing that it has one of our highest number of listeners in the West of the country.
Herman Olimi, the director Tooro Tourism, Heritage and Cultural Board noted that Tooro has been in existence for 200 years and nothing as exciting as this has happened to them
Now is the time for us to show case who we are, it is time to commercialize our culture for instance our food, names, clothing and way of living among others,we are more than excited for this, he added.
Innocent Fred Ejolu the Partnerships, Innovation and Development Solutions Specialist for United Nations Development Programme also festival partner said, apart from revamping the tourism sector, the festival will avail jobs and skills to the youth of which they will still carry on even after when the festival is concluded.
He urged the youth to engage in cultural activities such as, cultural dances, designing clothes with traditional labels among others as a way to fight against poverty.
Ms Gloria Katyo Masiko of Pet-A-Tree who are also partners of the festival said they will be greening Tooro during this festival by increasing its forest cover
She added that they will plant trees and flowers at the King’s garden to further beautify the palace while revelers will be given certificates and T shirts bearing an empako of their choice after they plant a tree as a sign of attachment.
Aly Allibhai the Chief Executive Officer Talent Africa Group and also the event organizer said that as the event goes on there will be effective following of the Standard Operating Procedures such as limiting numbers of people who will be engaging in several activities among others and for more favorable preparations he called upon the public to register and join the festival through the website www.ekyoototooro.com
Miss Elite Africa 2021-2021 Judith Heard one of the fashionistas that will show case at the event said that as a fashion star, she will showcase Tooro cultural wear and other traditional styles.
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