This September, all roads lead to Fort Portal, Uganda’s Tourism City, as the Tooro Kingdom prepares to host the annual Ekyooto Ha Mpango festival, running from 10th to 13th September 2025 at the Kingdom Headquarters. This year’s celebration is historic: it marks 30 years since the enthronement of His Majesty King Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV, who ascended the throne in 1995 as the youngest monarch in the world.
A Living Fireplace of Heritage
In Tooro culture, the word Ekyooto refers to the traditional fireplace — a place where generations gather to tell stories, preserve wisdom, and share identity. Over the years, the Ekyooto Ha Mpango festival has become exactly that: a cultural fireplace where history, tradition, and modern creativity converge.
The festival was first launched as part of King Oyo’s coronation anniversary and has since grown into one of Uganda’s biggest cultural showcases, attracting visitors from across the country and beyond. Each year has brought with it colorful pageantry — from traditional music and dances, royal rituals, and storytelling sessions, to fashion, art, and concerts by top artists.
In 2021, for example, the festival spotlighted Ekyooto Ha Mpango as a symbol of resilience after the pandemic, celebrating Tooro’s heritage while boosting domestic tourism. By 2022 and 2023, the event had grown into a multi-day cultural festival, drawing strong corporate partnerships and government backing. Now in 2025, the festival returns bigger and better, with a 30-year coronation milestone at its heart.
A Milestone Celebration
This year’s edition promises to be unlike any other. Aly Allibhai, CEO of Talent Africa, who is producing the festival, emphasized the scale, “This year is very special because it marks 30 years of King Oyo’s reign. The event is going to be free, the festival will be amazing, and we’re doing it better than ever before. Expect unforgettable performances from MCs and top artists including Cindy, Atwooki, and others, plus a fashion showcase that will leave a mark.”
The festival program will include:
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Royal Cultural Ceremonies marking King Oyo’s 30 years on the throne.
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Music and Dance Performances from top Ugandan artists and traditional troupes.
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Fashion Showcase highlighting Tooro’s elegance and modern African creativity.
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Tourism Experiences across Fort Portal and the wider Tooro region.
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Exhibitions and Storytelling, keeping the Tooro fireplace tradition alive.
Tourism and Culture Hand in Hand
Francis Nyende, Head of Marketing at Uganda Tourism Board (UTB), positioned the festival as a national cultural-tourism milestone, “As UTB, we celebrate Uganda as the premier destination, and I thank the Tooro Kingdom for keeping this celebration alive. We are proud to walk with you on this journey, highlighting not only culture but also entertainment, while promoting tourism in the Tooro region. This festival is a beacon for cultural tourism in Uganda.”
Crown Beverages Uganda pledged their continued support. “We take great pleasure in celebrating culture with the Tooro Kingdom. We are ready and excited to hydrate and refresh all guests as we celebrate this historic 30-year milestone,” said their representative.
Capital Radio, official media partner, reaffirmed its commitment. “Capital Radio has been part of this journey, and for this 30-year milestone, we’re here to make credible noise to ensure people travel, attend the festival, and explore what Tooro has to offer as Uganda’s best Tourism City. We will continue telling the Tooro story and supporting the Kingdom for years to come,” noted John Paul Mugwanya (JP).
Fort Portal: Uganda’s Tourism Jewel
Set against the backdrop of the Rwenzori Mountains, Fort Portal — officially designated Uganda’s Tourism City — offers festival-goers much more than music and dance. Visitors will explore crater lakes, lush tea plantations, Amabere ga Nyinamwiru caves, and the Kibale Forest National Park, home to the world’s largest population of chimpanzees. The festival thus doubles as a gateway to unforgettable tourism experiences.
The 30th anniversary of King Oyo’s reign is not just a celebration for Tooro, but for all Ugandans and international visitors. With free entry, Ekyooto Ha Mpango 2025 welcomes everyone to gather around the “fireplace” — to celebrate unity, honor tradition, and embrace the future of Tooro.
