The people of Tooro are mourning King Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru IV, the 12th ruler of the Tooro Kingdom, who died on Thursday night at the age of 34.
The announcement was made shortly after 10pm by the kingdom’s Prime Minister, Calvin Armstrong, following an earlier statement that the king was in critical condition.
His death has plunged the kingdom into mourning, particularly among a generation that had known no other monarch.
King Oyo ascended the throne in 1995 at the age of three following the death of his father, King Patrick Matthew Kaboyo Olimi III.
He died on August 27, a day after the anniversary of his father’s death in 1995, bringing to an end a reign that lasted nearly 31 years.
Grief in Fort Portal
News of the king’s death triggered an immediate outpouring of grief in Fort Portal City, the headquarters of the kingdom.
At Karuziika Palace, where UPDF personnel guard the royal residence, the main entrance along the Fort Portal-Kasese Road was closed after mourners began arriving late Thursday night.
Some subjects were seen in tears, while others stood at the palace gate in disbelief before returning home. Many returned to the palace on Friday morning.
Across the kingdom’s nine counties, the news spread through communities and social circles, with many mourning a monarch who had been a constant presence throughout their lives.
For many subjects, King Oyo was more than a cultural leader; he was the only king they had known.
Unexpected loss
The suddenness of the death also shocked many subjects who had expected to see the king at upcoming kingdom events.
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Behind the struggle for Tooro’s throne
King Oyo had been scheduled to attend the finals of the fifth edition of the Tooro Kingdom MTN Masaza Cup on September 6, ahead of his 31st coronation anniversary on September 12.
For the past four years, he had presided over the Masaza Cup finals as chief guest, presenting trophies to winning counties and outstanding participants.
The tournament had become one of the occasions that brought the king particularly close to young people across the kingdom.
The September 12 coronation anniversary was another major occasion during which the king traditionally travelled across Tooro’s nine counties to meet his subjects and participate in activities marking his accession to the throne.
Kingdom prepares for traditional rites
Richard Rwabuhinga Abooki, a former Education Minister of the Tooro Kingdom and head of Laity in the Diocese of Ruwenzori, described the death as a dark moment for the kingdom.
‘We have lost a life in its prime, committed to the service of humanity. We pray for the peaceful repose of his soul,’ he said.
He called on the people of Tooro and their friends to mourn the king peacefully and with dignity.
Charles Kamurasii, the late king’s uncle and head of the Babiito royal clan, said members of the royal clan would go to Karuziika Palace on Friday to make the traditional official announcement of the death.
He said the clan would later communicate the rituals to be performed as arrangements for the burial proceed.
Mr Kamurasii, traditionally known as Omujwera Musuuga, played a central role in the traditional enthronement of Oyo in 1995.
The death of a Tooro king also marks an important cultural transition. Traditionally, the royal drum is turned upside down following the death of a monarch and remains in that position until a new king is installed.
King Oyo’s death therefore closes a significant chapter in the kingdom’s modern history, which began with his enthronement as a three-year-old following the death of his father.
Tributes
The Kyabazinga of Busoga, in a message posted on X on Friday, joined the royal family and people of Tooro in mourning.
He described Oyo as a visionary traditional leader whose leadership, humility and commitment to preserving culture had left a lasting mark on Tooro, Uganda and beyond.
Ruwenzori Diocese Bishop Reuben Kisembo also sent condolences to the Queen Mother, the royal family, the Babiito clan and the people of Tooro.
He urged the people to set aside their differences and unite in organising a befitting send-off for the king.
Bishop Kisembo described Oyo as a Christian king who recognised Jesus Christ as the King of kings and Lord of lords.
The death leaves Tooro facing both a period of mourning and the traditional processes leading to the eventual installation of a new monarch.