Tooro king, Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV, has called on young people in the kingdom to reject negative peer pressure and embrace discipline, integrity, and self-determination as cornerstones of their future.
The monarch made the remarks during the inaugural Tooro Annual Youth Conference held on Friday at the kingdom’s administrative headquarters in Mucwa, Fort Portal Tourism city.
Held under the theme “We Speak, We Lead: Cultural Young Voices Driving Change for a Just Uganda,” the event attracted hundreds of young people from across the Tooro kingdom and beyond.
Oyo warned that negative peer influence often results in consequences such as teenage pregnancies, HIV infections, and drug abuse. He encouraged the youth to remain focused and make informed decisions.
“The choices you make today will shape the future of this kingdom. Reject what derails you and instead choose what uplifts you,” Oyo advised.
He also reminded the youth of Tooro kingdom’s 25-year development plan, launched in September 2021, which aims to achieve sustainable socio-economic growth, cultural preservation, and youth empowerment by 2045.
Oyo urged young people to actively seize opportunities created by the kingdom and play a central role in shaping its future. The conference featured sessions on entrepreneurship, mental health, leadership, and digital innovation, each designed to equip participants with practical knowledge and a sense of purpose in addressing contemporary challenges.
Tooro prime minister Calvin Amstrong Rwomire reaffirmed the kingdom’s commitment to youth development, saying several initiatives have already been launched to boost youth participation in governance and economic transformation.
Humphrey Nabimanya, executive director of Reach A Hand Uganda, which co-organized the conference said the initiative also aimed at nurturing positive values among the youth.
