FUFA football tournament strengthens Bunyoro, Acholi cultural relationship – Byakutaaga

Bunyoro Kitara Kingdom, Mr Andrew Byakutaaga (R) hands over a basket of millet grain to Mr David Okello, the Personal Assistant of the Acholi Paramount Chief at the FUFA Drum Province Football Tournament in Gulu. (Image: FUFA)

The Omuhikirwa (Prime Minister) of Bunyoro Kitara Kingdom, has assured the people of Bunyoro and Acholi regions of continued cooperation for the transformation of the two cultural institutions in diverse fields.

During the FUFA Drum football tournament between Bunyoro and Acholi provinces at Pece stadium in Gulu, Mr Andrew Byakutaaga, said the visit was one of the avenues of strengthening the bond between Bunyoro and Acholi as the two cultural institutions have been in good relationship for scores of years.

As a sign of good relationship, the Omuhikirwa handed over presents to the leadership of Acholi which has been part of the kingdom’s consignment whenever Bunyoro kingdom officials visit the Acholi counterparts since time immemorial.

The food stuff included traditional salt (ekisura ky’enzaarwa) mined in Bunyoro, bananas (ebitooke), millet grain (empuule y’oburo), cow peas (enkoole nyamugobe) and coffee (omwani) among others.

This was when Mr Byakutaaga and his entourage visited the Ker Kwaro Acholi where they were received by hosts led by Mr David Okello, the Personal Assistant to the Acholi Paramount Chief.

On behalf of the Paramount Chief, the Acholi leadership appreciated the gifts and promised to reciprocate the gesture when they visit Bunyoro.

Coffee, Kibiro salt, cow peas, millet grain, bananas and beer are the items Bunyoro Kingdom presented to Acholi cultural leadership in Gulu. (Image: FUFA)

Mr Okello listed food security, cultural preservation, peace building, socio-economic transformation and community mobilisation as some of the major areas the two cultural institutions should prioritise for the wellbeing of the subjects in Bunyoro and Acholi.

He called for further cooperation and partnership with Bunyoro Kitara Kingdom.

At the post-match ceremonies after FUFA Drum football tournament return leg at Pece Stadium where Acholi edged Bunyoro, Mr Byakutaaga handed over the Man of the Match award.

According to FUFA, The FUFA Drum has been able to bring together the young, the old, cultural, religious and political leaders at different levels and the business community.

The FUFA DRUM has continued to deliver cultural connections both on and off the pitch.

Launched in 2018 by FUFA President Eng Moses Hassim Magogo, the tournament has provided a platform for football stakeholders to celebrate their ancestry from all corners around the country with the 16 provinces in all action.

In the first leg, Acholi province played an away game to Bunyoro at Masindi Stadium with the game ending goaless.

Action between Bunyoro and Acholi at Masindi Stadium in Bunyoro during the first leg of the FUFA Drum Province Football Tournament. (Image: FUFA)

Connotation of items Bunyoro presented to Acholi

No.ItemSignificance
1.Goat (Embuzi)Treasured domestic animal in Bunyoro. Commonly slaughtered or donated at functions of success, marriage and friendship among others
2.Millet grain (Empuule y’oburo)Millet is a staple food in Bunyoro and Acholi. It withstands all weather and provides food security
3.Coffee (Omwani)It is a traditional beverage and medicine besides being used a food served to a friend, visitor or treasured person in Bunyoro (omwani gunywanisa enganda). Traditionally in Bunyoro, coffee cherries are used to cement friendship (kusara omukago).
4.Cow peas (Enkoole nyamugobe)They are fast maturing which the forefathers of Bunyoro used to fight food insecurity in homes due to the fact that they have a short maturity period.
5.Beer (Amaarwa)It is used in times of celebration, the people of Acholi and Bunyoro who are not Muslims or who don’t find offence in alcohol sit over beer to relax, share joy and happiness.
6.Bananas (Ebitooke)It is one of the staple foods in Bunyoro. Recent archeological studies have discovered that the first bananas to be grown in Uganda were around Semwema in Kakumiro district, Bunyoro Kitara Kingdom.
7.Salt (Ekisura)For thousands of years salt in Bunyoro has been mined at Kibiro as it is both a food and medicinal and commodity that used to dominate the international trade.

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