(FORT PORTAL, UGANDA) – Tooro Kingdom has entered a nine day period of traditional mourning following the death of Omukama Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV at the age of 34. The King died at around 10pm on Thursday 27th August while receiving medical treatment in the United States. Initial reports indicate he suffered from glioblastoma, an aggressive form of brain cancer.
The Tooro Kingdom Prime Minister, Calvin Armstrong Rwomire Akiiki, confirmed the death in an official statement on Thursday night. He said the loss was immeasurable for the Royal Family, the people of Tooro and the nation of Uganda. The Prime Minister called on the kingdom to remain united, calm and prayerful during the difficult period. He also confirmed that the King leaves behind a Prince as his heir. The identity of the heir will be revealed at the appropriate time according to the traditions and customs of Tooro Kingdom.
Mr Rwomire Akiiki stated that the continuity of the Crown is assured. He said an official statement would follow with further details, including the funeral and mourning arrangements. A book of condolences has been opened at Buziga Palace in Kampala where prayers are being held. The Prime Minister invited all those who wish to pay their respects to visit the palace.
The announcement followed a wave of speculation on social media about the health of the King. Earlier on Thursday, the Tooro Kingdom had asked the public to disregard unverified reports about his death. Later in the evening, the kingdom confirmed the King was critically ill and asked Ugandans to pray for him. The death was officially confirmed shortly before 11pm.
On Friday morning, a stand-off emerged at the main entrance of the Tooro Kingdom palace in Fort Portal City. Security officers from the Uganda People’s Defence Forces restricted access to the royal compound. Kingdom subjects, some officials and journalists were blocked from entering. The restrictions triggered a confrontation involving Charles Kamurasi, head of the Babiito royal clan and uncle to the late King. Mr Kamurasi questioned why kingdom subjects were being prevented from entering the palace. The main gate was opened shortly after 9am following his protest. Access to a second gate closer to the main palace house remained restricted for some time.
Mr Kamurasi, who also serves as the kingdom’s Omujwera Musuuga, formally announced the death of the King during a ceremony at the royal palace. He called on subjects to remain calm, united and respectful of the kingdom’s cultural norms during the mourning period. He said the exact date of burial had not yet been determined. The nine day mourning period will be used to make arrangements for the King’s final send off.
Richard Rwabuhinga, chairman of the organising committee for the King’s send off, said the nine day mourning period is prescribed by Tooro culture whenever a reigning King dies. He said initial rituals were conducted on Friday morning by the head of the Babiito clan, Prince Charles Kamurasi, together with other kingdom ritualists. One major ritual involved turning the royal drum upside down. This signifies the end of the era of the reigning monarch. Another ritual involved members of the Babiito clan leading a group to the main entrance of the palace where an alarm was sounded to officially announce the death of the King.
During the mourning period, the Tooro Kingdom anthem will not be sung at official ceremonies. The suspension will remain in place until the mourning period is completed. All Tooro Kingdom flags will fly at half mast throughout the mourning period across the kingdom. The kingdom will also cover the lion, one of the major symbols of royal authority, at the city centre roundabout and at the palace entrance. Mr Rwabuhinga said the covering of the lion symbolises the absence of the King’s authority following his death. The lion will remain covered until the succession process is completed and the Babiito clan announces the new King.
Mr Rwabuhinga said the organising committee will meet every day during the mourning period to coordinate the King’s send off. The committee will work closely with the kingdom and expects to be joined by the National Organising Committee to coordinate the broader preparations. The kingdom will also hold ecumenical services during the mourning period. Evening services are expected to begin on Saturday at the palace.
The death of the King has triggered an outpouring of tributes from cultural institutions, political leaders and members of the public across Uganda.
The Kingdom of Buganda expressed heartfelt condolences to the people of Tooro. The Katikkiro of Buganda, Charles Peter Mayiga, said the death of the Tooro monarch was a great loss to the kingdom and the country. He said he immediately conveyed the news to the Kabaka of Buganda, Ssaabasajja Kabaka Ronald Muwenda Mutebi II, who was deeply saddened by the death of his younger brother. Mr Mayiga said Buganda and Tooro have maintained close historical ties since the establishment of the Tooro Kingdom in the 1830s. He recalled that when Omukama Oyo ascended the throne at the age of three, the Kabaka of Buganda was among those appointed to guide him. Mr Mayiga urged the people of Tooro to remain united, calm and prayerful as they prepare for the burial ceremonies and traditional rituals.
In Bunyoro, the Omukama of Bunyoro Kitara Kingdom, Dr Solomon Gafabusa Rukirabasaija Agutamba Iguru, joined leaders across Uganda in mourning the death of Omukama Oyo. The prime minister of Bunyoro Kitara Kingdom, Andrew Byakutaga, said his Tooro counterpart formally informed him of the King’s death. He said Omukama Iguru described Oyo as a strong pillar of development whose contribution extended beyond Tooro to the country and the wider world. Omukama Iguru also highlighted the longstanding cultural ties between Bunyoro Kitara and Tooro. He said the two kingdoms share a unique heritage reflected in their customs, traditional marriage practices, Empaako naming system and language.
The Kyabazinga of Busoga, William Wilberforce Kadhumbula Nadiope IV, described the late King as a monarch whose contribution to the history, culture and aspirations of the Tooro people would endure. The Prime Minister of Alur Kingdom, Prince Lawrence Opar Angala, said Omukama Oyo was a visionary leader who served his people and Kingdom with great distinction, wisdom and dedication. The chairperson of Nkore Cultural trust and prime minister of the defunct Ankole Kingdom, Dr George William Katatumba, described the late King Oyo as a dedicated leader who excelled in modern traditional leadership.
The Jopadhola also joined Ugandans in mourning the King. The Tieng Adhola Cultural Institution’s Jago, Obbo Richard Josel, conveyed a condolence message on behalf of His Royal Highness the Kwar Adhola Moses Stephen Owor. He said the King championed the preservation of Tooro culture and heritage and served the underprivileged and the vulnerable with passion. He also worked closely with other kings in Uganda in the establishment of the Council of the Traditional Leaders in Africa, Uganda Chapter.
Political parties also sent their condolences. The Forum for Democratic Change party president Patrick Oboi Amuriat described King Oyo as a visionary traditional leader who united his subjects regardless of their political or religious affiliations. The Justice Forum party said King Oyo would be remembered for his efforts to empower young people, promote education through the King Oyo Scholarship Fund, conserve the environment and advocate for public health. The party also called for greater national attention to non-communicable diseases, including hypertension, diabetes and cancer.
Born on 16th April 1992, Oyo became Omukama of Tooro on 12th September 1995 at the age of three, following the death of his father, Omukama Patrick David Matthew Kaboyo Olimi III. He was formally crowned in April 2010 after attaining adulthood. He reigned for 31 years. He was one of the world’s youngest reigning monarchs at the time of his ascension. A council of guardians was appointed to guide him and oversee the affairs of the kingdom until he attained maturity. President Yoweri Museveni was among the guardians appointed, alongside Queen Mother Best Kemigisa, Princess Elizabeth Bagaaya and Kabaka Ronald Muwenda Mutebi II of Buganda.
Tooro Kingdom Prime Minister Calvin Armstrong said in an early morning message on Friday that he was due to meet President Museveni to discuss burial arrangements. No official burial programme had been announced by Friday afternoon. The kingdom has not provided further details about the illness. Initial reports from Bunyoro Kitara Kingdom indicated the King died while receiving medical treatment in the United States.
The death of the King carries no direct financial implications for government spending. However, the kingdom and the national government are expected to coordinate funeral arrangements. No cost estimates have been released. Local businesses in Fort Portal City and across the Tooro region are expected to observe a period of reduced activity as the kingdom mourns.
Security remained tight around the palace as kingdom officials began coordinating arrangements following the death. The reason for the restrictions on access to the palace had not been publicly explained by security officials by press time.