Interim Tooro PM Omuhikirwa Rwomiire Apologizes: I Can’t Hide Behind Excuses or Shift Blame for My Wrongs

Interim Tooro Kingdom Prime Minister (Omuhikirwa) Calvin Armstrong Rwomiire Akiiki has apologised for mistakes he says he made, particularly in the period following the death of the late Omukama Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV, promising to rebuild trust through action as he begins another term in office.

Rwomiire, who was retained as Omuhikirwa by Omukama Edward Rukiidi Nyabongo I, said his renewed tenure should be viewed as a responsibility to serve rather than a personal entitlement.

“I accept this responsibility with humility. I do not see it as a personal entitlement, but as a renewed call to service; service to the King and service to the people of Tooro,” Rwomiire said.

He thanked Nyabongo I for retaining him, saying the decision reflected the confidence the new King had placed in him.

“I am deeply humbled and honoured by the decision of His Majesty King Edward Rukiidi Nyabongo I to retain me as Prime Minister of the Tooro Kingdom,” he said.

“I thank His Majesty for the privilege, the honour and, most importantly, for the confidence and recognition he has placed in me.”

Rwomiire also paid tribute to the team he had previously worked with, saying the administration had operated through difficult circumstances and learned important lessons.

“We have worked through difficult circumstances, learned many lessons and, together, laid foundations upon which we can now build,” he said.

He further remembered the late Oyo, whose death brought an end to a significant chapter in Tooro’s history.

“His passing brought an important chapter of our history to a close, but it must not bring an end to the work he began,” Rwomiire said.

“I believe we now have an opportunity to honour his memory by continuing his legacy, completing the work he started and building a stronger, more united and more prosperous Tooro.”

Rwomiire said he had already met Nyabongo I and presented to him a list of priorities that should guide the administration, adding that the King had agreed with them and directed him to begin implementation.

The first priority, he said, is addressing the welfare of Kingdom workers, particularly outstanding staff arrears at Muchwa.

“Our staff keep the Kingdom functioning, and we must find a sustainable way of dealing with these obligations while putting better systems in place to prevent such problems from recurring,” he said.

He also identified strengthening the Kingdom’s systems and structures as another urgent task, calling for clear policies, procedures and systems to guide its operations.

“We must also ensure that our cultural norms, traditions and established ways of working are properly understood and respected,” he said.

According to Rwomiire, this would help create “a stronger foundation” for a more organised, professional and accountable Kingdom administration.

Youth empowerment also featured prominently among his priorities, with Rwomiire promising to complete the youth empowerment incubation hubs.

“These hubs are intended to create opportunities for our young people and communities,” he said.

“We must ensure that they become productive centres for skills, enterprise, agriculture and economic opportunity.”

He said Nyabongo I intends to visit and inaugurate the hubs during his forthcoming Masaza visits.

The Masaza themselves will be another major focus, with Rwomiire saying the Kingdom wants to strengthen the relationship between the King and his subjects.

“His Majesty must be able to visit his people, meet them in their communities, listen to their concerns and understand their needs and aspirations,” he said.

The administration, he added, will engage the Ministry of Gender on ways of strengthening the role of the Masaza and improving facilitation, including transport and welfare.

Rwomiire also wants the Kingdom to explore ways of involving young people in productive use of Kingdom land.

“Our people are our greatest asset, and our young people are the majority. Our land is also one of our greatest resources, yet much of it remains underused,” he said.

He proposed that young people could organise themselves into associations and, subject to legal advice and safeguards, access Kingdom land through appropriate lease arrangements for productive agriculture.

“This can create employment and income for our young people and communities, increase agricultural production and help protect Kingdom land from encroachment and misuse,” he said.

Agriculture is another priority, with Rwomiire saying the Kingdom must move beyond discussions and create practical opportunities for people to earn from the sector.

“We must move beyond talking about agriculture and create practical opportunities for our people to earn from it,” he said.

He said the Kingdom would strengthen production, improve access to markets and promote value addition.

Rwomiire disclosed that he had recently engaged Agriculture Minister Frank Tumwebaze, who he said had agreed to support the Kingdom with seedlings, fertilisers and other agricultural inputs.

The interim Omuhikirwa also wants the remaining Masaza Cup matches completed, saying sport can play an important role in promoting unity among Tooro’s people, particularly young people.

“Sport is important in bringing our people together, particularly our young people,” he said.

He further proposed that Nyabongo I formally affirm the Kingdom Strategic Plan so that it can guide the administration and provide measurable targets.

“We need to know what we are trying to achieve, by when and how we will measure our progress,” Rwomiire said.

“The plan should not simply be a document, but a commitment that holds the administration accountable for delivery.”

He added that Queen Rebecca Amoding’s “Girls for girls” mentorship project would also form part of the transition.

Another priority is stronger cooperation between the Kingdom and the Government of Uganda.

Rwomiire said his administration would engage ministries, departments and government agencies to identify areas where national and Kingdom development programmes could complement each other.

“We will seek practical partnerships in areas such as youth empowerment, agriculture, education, healthcare, infrastructure, tourism, cultural heritage and enterprise development,” he said.

He argued that strengthening agriculture, tourism and ICT could increase household incomes and enable families to better meet their basic needs.

“By strengthening agriculture, tourism and ICT, we can increase household incomes, disposable income and purchasing power, enabling families to educate their children, eat better and access quality healthcare,” he said.

Financial accountability will also be central to the new administration.

“We must ensure that the Kingdom’s resources are properly managed and that every programme has clear responsibility, proper oversight and measurable results,” Rwomiire said.

“We must build a culture where commitments are followed by action, resources are used for their intended purpose and those given responsibility are accountable for what they deliver.”

But beyond the development priorities, Rwomiire said Tooro faces an equally important challenge: healing divisions within the Kingdom.

“There is another priority that is just as important as all the others: reconciliation,” he said.

“Tooro needs healing. Tooro needs peace. Tooro needs harmony.”

“We cannot build a stronger Kingdom if we remain divided,” he added, appealing to leaders, clans, institutions and ordinary people to put aside their differences and work together.

It was in this context that Rwomiire addressed his own conduct following the death of Oyo, acknowledging that some of his actions, decisions or omissions may have caused misunderstanding.

“On a personal note, I acknowledge that, especially following the passing of Kabumba Omukama Oyo, I got some things wrong,” he said.

“Some of my actions, decisions or omissions may have caused misunderstanding. I take responsibility for my part in those matters and offer a clear and unreserved apology to those who were affected.”

Rwomiire said he would not attempt to defend his mistakes by blaming other people or circumstances.

“I will not hide behind excuses or shift blame,” he said.

“I am committed to correcting what needs to be corrected, rebuilding trust through action and ensuring that the lessons of the past help us to serve the Kingdom better.”

He also called for better induction of new Kingdom office bearers, arguing that people entrusted with leadership must understand the institution, their authority and their responsibilities.

“Every person entrusted with responsibility must understand the institution they serve, their role, their authority and the expectations placed upon them,” he said.

As Tooro begins a new chapter under Nyabongo I, Rwomiire called for an end to speculation and division.

“It is time to put aside speculation, blame and division,” he said.

“It is time to restore confidence. It is time to rebuild trust. It is time to unite the Kingdom.”

“And, most importantly, it is time to start serious work for the Kingdom.”

Rwomiire said he would continue serving under Nyabongo I with “humility, renewed energy and a clear sense of duty”.

“In the next few days, I will present to His Majesty the King the team that with the help of God, I intend to deliver to this commitment with,” he said.

You can see other Batooro who were appointed to Omukama Edward Rukidi Nyabongo I’s transitional cabinet Here.

It should be remembered that Rwomiire had insisted that Omukama Oyo had left behind a son who would inherit the throne as king. Rwomiire even warned Museveni’s government not to choose a King for the Batooro, as detailed Here and There.

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