President Museveni Crowned Luo Elder: A Celebration of Unity and Culture in East Africa

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni was crowned a Luo elder during the Piny Luo Festival in Siaya County, Kenya. The event, held at Got Ramogi Hill, also crowned Kenya’s President William Ruto and former Prime Minister Raila Odinga as elders. The three leaders received traditional items symbolizing leadership and protection, like a ruler’s seat, a crown, a shield, a spear, and an elder’s robe.

After the ceremony, they toured important Luo heritage sites, including the Jaramogi Oginga Mausoleum and four traditional huts representing the Luo clans. President Museveni expressed his gratitude for the honor and spoke about unity among East Africans, encouraging the East African Federation for regional prosperity.

Museveni highlighted Africa’s history of colonization and the importance of integration, prosperity, and security. He praised past and present leaders for supporting East African unity and presented plaques honoring leaders who once envisioned a united East Africa. Museveni also backed Raila Odinga’s bid for African Union Chairmanship, urging East African leaders to support the cause.

President Ruto thanked Museveni for attending and praised his commitment to East African unity. He emphasized breaking down artificial borders to allow the free movement of goods and people for regional growth. He also announced the opening of the Lamogi campus, a technical college built for over Ksh 400 million, to symbolize unity.

Raila Odinga criticized colonial borders for slowing East Africa’s prosperity and called for boosting trade within Africa. Siaya Governor James Orengo supported the establishment of the East African Federation with open borders between Kenya and Uganda.

The festival, themed “Celebrating the Roots of Our Culture and Heritage,” showcased Luo unity and traditions. It brought together Luo communities from Uganda, Tanzania, Ethiopia, South Sudan, and beyond. Other highlights included traditional dances, prayers, and honoring Luo ancestors.

Later, Museveni and Ruto inaugurated the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Stadium in Siaya County, hosting a football match between Kenya’s Gor Mahia and Uganda’s Kitara FC. Gor Mahia won 9-8 on penalties. Museveni urged East Africans to focus on wealth creation through agriculture, ICT, services, and manufacturing. The new stadium, a modern facility with a 20,000-seat capacity, promises to boost sports in Western Kenya.

Source: Chimpreports