‘For the thing which I greatly feared is come upon me, and that which I was afraid of is come unto me.’ – Job 3:25.
I never imagined that I would one day write ‘Rest in Peace’ alongside the name of a close friend, one with whom I shared some of the liveliest days of my life as we tried to understand life and find our place in the world.
Like many young people in their 20s, we had dreams, ambitions and endless conversations about the future.
We shared laughter, dreams and moments that felt ordinary then, but have now become some of my most precious memories.
My journey to Tooro began long before I realised it. Over the years, life drew me closer to the kingdom through school and the friendships I formed.
Somewhere along that journey, I met His Majesty King Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV, the man we affectionately called George, Amooti and, among some friends, Porgie.
For someone who carried such an extraordinary title, the Omukama had a gentle way of making everyone around him feel equal. He never made you feel like a subject or a commoner; around him, we were simply his friends.
Sometimes we would remind him, ‘George, you are not quite one of us, you are actually a king!’ He would laugh. Whenever we visited the palace, our clumsy attempts to observe royal customs amused him because, outside the palace, we were accustomed to interacting with him simply as George.
He carried the weight of the crown without allowing it to create distance between himself and those he loved.The Omukama possessed a childlike heart, but the wisdom of a much older man.
The world will say that he died at 34; I will say that he died at 34 with the mind of a 60-year-old. From his 20s, he had wise counsel for almost everything; life, relationships, faith and purpose.
Perhaps this was because he never had the luxury of an ordinary childhood. His life of service began before he could fully understand the responsibility he had inherited.
He hit the ground running and gave Tooro an exceptional 31 years of service.Therefore, when people say that he died before his time, I understand their grief.
Yet I also believe that he lived, loved and laughed. He did not move at our pace; he carried the experiences, responsibilities and wisdom of several lifetimes.
It feels as though God compressed a hundred years of purpose into 34 years of life. His years were few, but they were full.
George was also extraordinarily kind and generous. He checked on people, made them comfortable and loved wholeheartedly.
His generosity was not something he displayed because he was king; it was simply who he was.
He loved life, soccer, cars, machines and speed. I remember his joy when he bought his Range Rover Autobiography and insisted on driving it himself.
When it arrived, we were all as excited as he was. We opened the doors, admired every detail and marvelled at the illuminated logo on the ground.
Today, I am grateful that he allowed himself to enjoy the things that made him happy and, in doing so, gave us beautiful memories.
Above all, I admired his faith. Long before the viral videos of him publicly speaking about his commitment to Christ, he had always referenced God.
He frequently said, ‘God willing,’ before sentences and at one point used ‘IamGodsGeneral’ as his Instagram username, a simple but powerful declaration of whom he served.
In a world that offered him power, money, looks, almost anything, the Omukama chose God.To Her Royal Majesty the Queen Mother, Best Kemigisa, thank you.
You did not only raise a king; you raised a good man, humble, generous, wise, peaceful and God-fearing. The crown, privilege and attention could have shaped him differently, but because of the foundation you gave him, he became an admirable gentleman, not only in appearance, but also in character.
On behalf of the crew, thank you, George, for the brotherhood, the laughter, the wise counsel and the privilege of knowing the man behind the crown.
You fought the good fight, finished your race and kept the faith.
We give God the glory for your remarkable life. Simba ni Simba.
Rest in power, Amooti.
Omukama atuulize.