Omukama Rukirabasaija Agutamba Solomon Gafabusa Iguru I (born 18 June 1948) is the 27th Omukama (King) of Bunyoro- Kitara Kingdom, a traditional cultural institution located in Western Uganda. He belongs to the historic Babiito Dynasty and acts as the cultural leader of the Banyakitara people from 1994 to present. The King's traditional alternative name used by family (known as empaako) is Amooti.
Early Years and reign Solomon Iguru l was born on Friday, June 18, 1948, to Omukama Sir Tito Winyi IV and Gertrude Komweru Gafabusa Ateenyi.
He is the grandson of the legendary anti-colonial hero, Omukama Chwa II Kabalega. His father, Sir Tito Winyi IV, ruled Bunyoro from 1924 to 1967 before traditional kingdoms were abolished by the Ugandan government under Milton Obote.
Education: He studied at Kabalega Secondary School in Uganda before traveling to the United Kingdom, where he studied Management at the University of Manchester.
Solomon Iguru I rose to the throne in 1994. His father, Sir Winyi IV of Bunyoro, reigned from 1927 to 1967. In 1967, the Ugandan government under Milton Obote abolished kingdoms.
Solomon Gafabusa Iguru I ascended the throne on June 11, 1994.
The enthronement was presided over by Bunyoro-Kitara's traditional leaders led by the head of the kingdom's regalia, traditionally known as Omukuru w'Ebikwato, Mr George Muhuruzi.
But his ascension did not come easy or automatically. He was only able to become leader after a one-year legal battle against accusations from his brother, Prince John Rukidi that he did not qualify to be king. Rukidi claimed that Iguru's mother was a niece of his father.
His coronation anniversary, known traditionally as the Empango, is celebrated annually on June 11th at his primary royal seat, the Karuziika Palace in Hoima City.
Solomon Iguru I was formally recognised in the Uganda Gazette legal notice No. 303 of 2014.http://ugandaradionetwork.com/a/story.php?s=66053
The king has various praises attributed to him by his subjects.
He is referred to as mwebingwa (refuge of men) enkyanungi (good luck), emanzi (the hero), entale ya Bunyoro (the lion of Bunyoro), ekitule ekinobere abeemi (the stick that hates rebels), omukuma nfuuzi (the one who cares for the orphans), and rukirabasaija (the superior of all men).
Personal life Iguru Gafabusa got married on August 24, 2002 to a Mutooro, Margaret Karunga Adyeri who was 19 at the time and had been selected for the king by the kingdom's elders in Bunyoro-Kitara and Tooro kingdoms.
A mutooro suitable queen from Toro Kingdom was chosen so that the traditional, cultural closeness of Banyoro and Batoro can be cemented.
The royal couple has two children. Prince David Rukidi Mpuga was born on May 19, 2007 in Nairobi, and was baptised on December 27 the same year. Princess Masamba Nkwanzi was born on October 17, 2011 also in Nairobi, and baptised on June 27, 2012.
The Omukama resides at Karuziika palace . At Karuzika, you are welcomed by a gate traditionally known as mugabante guarded by royal guards. It is also common to find the king's cows, traditionally known as enkoroki, grazing in the compound.
Responsibilities Within his kingdom, he operates with the assistance of a Principal Private Secretary, a Cabinet of 21 Ministers, and the traditional parliament known as the Orukurato.
The King at times spends the evening visiting his people, hunting or visiting his farms.
However he spares one day in a month where he participates in cultural rituals which includes visiting the regalia, where he sits on the throne.
While on the throne, the king welcomes advice from mainly his officials. He does this whenever he is about to make major administrative decisions such as appointments or travel outside his kingdom. Gafabusa Iguru I is also the chairperson of the Uganda Cultural Leaders Forum.Besides being a cultural leader and trustee of the Banyoro, the king is culturally the head of metal workers in his kingdom. At his coronation anniversary, the king is given a hammer which he uses to hit a metal four times.
In recent years, Solomon Iguru has promoted the Kingdom by founding the Association of the Representatives of Bunyoro-Kitara.
Health status In recent years, the Omukama's public appearances have been limited due to ongoing health challenges. On 17 October 2024, he was airlifted from his palace using an army helicopter sent by President Museveni after suffering a strange flu. The Kingdom premier asked the King's subjects to remain calm in that difficult situation.
Awards List of awards: Grand Cordon, Royal and Hashemite Order of the Pearl (Royal House of Sulu, Philippines) Grand Cross, Order of Saint Lazarus Grand Cross, Order of the Queen of Sheba (Ethiopia) Kabalega Star, Republic of Uganda Grand Collar of the Royal Order of Merit of Prince Uchichohttps://casarealafroboliviana.org/noticias.html
See also List of current constituent African monarchs Omukama of Bunyoro
References