President Museveni and the late King Oyo
HABARI DAILY I Kampala, Uganda I President Yoweri Museveni has confirmed that the late King of Tooro, Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV, left behind a young boy who is expected to become heir to the Tooro throne, as the country mourns the 34-year-old monarch.
Museveni made the revelation on Saturday while announcing that the fallen King would be accorded an official burial and directing that national flags be flown at half-mast for three days in his honour. The President said the identity of the young heir would be made public by the royal family at an appropriate time.
“Fortunately, in a telephone call, Her Royal Highness Kemigisa, Nyinomukama, told me that H.H. Oyo left a young boy heir that will be introduced to the public at the right time,” Museveni said.
The revelation comes at a critical moment for the Tooro Kingdom, where preparations are underway to give the late monarch a befitting send-off while also preserving the continuity of the centuries-old institution.
Tooro Kingdom had earlier assured its subjects that the Crown would continue following King Oyo’s death on August 27, 2026. In its official announcement, the kingdom’s Prime Minister, Calvin Armstrong Rwomiire Akiiki, said the late monarch had left behind a Prince whose identity would be formally revealed in accordance with Tooro customs and traditions.
The identity, age and other details about the young heir have not yet been publicly disclosed.
King Oyo died at about 10pm on Thursday while receiving medical treatment in the United States, bringing to an end a reign that began when he was only three years old. He ascended the Tooro throne in September 1995 following the death of his father, King Patrick David Matthew Kaboyo Olimi III. He subsequently became one of the world’s best-known young monarchs and remained on the throne for nearly 31 years.
Museveni, in his condolence message, described Oyo’s death at such a young age as a major loss to both Tooro and Uganda. He recalled that the King had been orphaned at a young age and said he had demonstrated potential to work with the central and local governments to promote development in Tooro.
“It is with a lot of sadness that, on the behalf of all Ugandans, Maama Janet and myself, I extend our most heart-felt condolences to the Royal Family of Tooro and to all Ugandans on account of the death of the prominent Muzzukulu, His Highness Oyo, the King of Tooro at such a young age of 34,” Museveni said.
The President also disclosed that Queen Mother Best Kemigisa had informed him months earlier that her son was suffering from aggressive cancer. According to Museveni, Government supported the King to seek treatment first in Germany and later in the United States, where he died.
Meanwhile, Tooro has entered a nine-day traditional mourning period, known as okugaragara, following the King’s death. The period began on Friday and is being observed through traditional rites, including the turning upside down of the royal drum, symbolising the end of the reign of the deceased monarch.
The nine-day mourning period is distinct from the three days of national mourning ordered by Museveni. The President directed that flags fly at half-mast on the day before the burial, the burial day and the day after.
Museveni also praised King Oyo for maintaining a working relationship with the central government and avoiding the use of cultural institutions to promote sectarianism.
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