WWF Recognizes King of Tooro for setting Ambitious Nature Recovery Targets

Posted on 3 October 2020

This year's celebration was themed "Tourism and Rural Development", was successfully organized by WWF in partnership with Tooro Kingdom and the Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities.

Last Sunday, the king of Toro, Rukirabasaija Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV, presided over the World Tourism day celebrations with a call to re-green Uganda to boost Nature Tourism.

“It should be noted that while many tourists visit to enjoy the scenic views, these can only be sustained by a good climate, which is also another attraction”, he stated.

“I have embarked on a plan to re-green Tooro to bring back the beauty it had several years ago. I appeal to you all to join me in this noble campaign. As I mark 25 years on the throne, I want to announce the start of another 25 years of Eco system restoration in Tooro and Uganda as a country.”

The week long celebrations started with a tour of Tooro’s Tourism attractions including Kibale National Park for Chimpanze tracking, the Hot Springs in Semuliki National park, the Nyakasura Hills and creator lakes and the Mabeere Ganyamwiru.

The king together with other dignitaries from the Central Government, WWF and UN Agencies also planted trees at the palace to boost the king’s greening campaign.

The Minister of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities Col Tom Butiime congratulated the king for his visionary leadership and his passion for nature conservation.

"This year marks the silver jubilee celebration of the reign of King Oyo of Toro Kingdom. This is part of the motivation that persuaded us to celebrate the event in Fort Portal and also recognize the new status of Fort Portal as a tourism city," said tourism and antiquities minister Tom Butime.

"We are celebrating our own attractions and calling upon Ugandans to travel and experience the pearl of Africa," he added.

Toro Kingdom tourism minister Joan Kantu said the monarchy is endowed with good weather, food, the snow-capped Rwenzori Mountains, crater lakes, hospitable people, national parks, among other things.

WWF Country Director, while giving a special recognition to the King for advancing nature recovery in the region committed that WWF would continue to work very closely with the kingdom to mobilize his subjects and Ugandans as a whole to join the Nature recovery campaign.

“Your Highness, you have set the bar so high by setting ambitious nature protection targets that embrace local communities as a solution to protecting landscapes and improving livelihoods, combating poverty and increasing wellbeing standards. We congratulate you for being visionary and commit our continued partnership,” he stated.

During Sunday's event, demos of the traditional ways of making tonto (a traditional fermented beverage), grinding millet on a grinding stone, pounding gnuts using a mortar and pestle were all on display.

Tourism is a key sector for the Uganda's economy, accounting for 18% of the East African nation's gross domestic product in 2019.

WWF Country Director, David Duli, walking alongside King Oyo as they led the team to the tree planting session at the Palace on the World Tourism Day 2020