The late monarch, King Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV
HABARI DAILY I Kampala, Uganda I The Government has called upon Ugandans to remain calm, united and supportive of the Tooro Royal Family following the sudden death of King Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV.
In a statement issued on Friday, August 28, 2026, the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development conveyed its condolences to the Royal Family, the people of Tooro, the Babiito Royal Clan, the Tooro Kingdom leadership and the entire country following the death of the 34-year-old monarch.
King Oyo died on Thursday, August 27, bringing to an end a reign that had lasted three decades.
The ministry said the King’s death was not only a profound loss to Tooro Kingdom but also a loss to Uganda’s cultural heritage, describing him as an important symbol of the resilience, dignity, identity and continuity of the people of Tooro.
At the time of his death, King Oyo had spent almost his entire life associated with the Tooro throne. He ascended to the kingship in 1995 at the age of three, following the death of his father, the late King Patrick David Matthew Kaboyo Olimi III.
The Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development, which is responsible for culture, family affairs and social development, said King Oyo played an important role in preserving and promoting the traditions, values and cultural heritage of the Batooro while also engaging with contemporary national development aspirations.
The ministry also highlighted his significance to Uganda’s young people, noting that his life demonstrated the importance of nurturing young leaders and creating opportunities for youth to participate meaningfully in the development of their communities and country.
Against the backdrop of widespread grief and growing public interest in what happens next, the Government urged the people of Tooro and all Ugandans to avoid actions that could disrupt the mourning period.
“At this difficult moment, we call upon the people of Tooro and all Ugandans to remain united, calm and supportive of the Royal Family as the Kingdom undertakes the mourning and funeral arrangements in accordance with its traditions and customs,” the ministry said.
The Government further reassured Ugandans that the Tooro Kingdom had indicated that the continuity of the Crown was secured.
It said details concerning the succession and funeral arrangements would be communicated in due course, effectively asking the public to allow the kingdom’s traditional processes to take their course.
The ministry also appealed to Ugandans to accord King Oyo “the dignity, respect and honour befitting a cultural leader” who dedicated his life to the people of Tooro and to the preservation of Uganda’s cultural heritage.
The appeal comes as the Royal Family and Tooro Kingdom leadership enter a sensitive period of mourning while preparing for the King’s funeral and the eventual transition to a new monarch.
The Government recognised the broader role played by cultural institutions in Uganda, saying they contribute to preserving the country’s diverse heritage, strengthening families and communities, promoting social cohesion and transmitting positive values from one generation to another.
It said King Oyo’s contribution to these ideals would remain an important part of his legacy.
The ministry extended particular condolences to Queen Mother Best Kemigisa, the Royal Family, the Babiito Royal Clan, Tooro Kingdom leadership and all those mourning the monarch.
It concluded its message by praying for strength and comfort for the Royal Family and courage and unity for the people of Tooro as they come to terms with what it described as a profound loss.
“May His Majesty Omukama Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV rest in eternal peace,” the ministry said.
The statement ended with the traditional Tooro words: “Omukama Atulize. Enkuba Etutiire.”
The Government’s message therefore carries a dual appeal: that Ugandans mourn the young King with dignity, while also remaining calm and united as Tooro Kingdom undertakes the traditional processes that will determine the next chapter of the monarchy.
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