Mourners and journalists arriving at Karuziika Palace in Fort Portal City on Friday were barred from entering the palace grounds with mobile phones as security was tightened ahead of the burial of King Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV on Saturday.
The phone ban was initially imposed inside the palace on people who had gone to view the King’s body. However, by Friday morning, security personnel at the main entrance were directing mourners to surrender their phones before being allowed into the palace grounds.
The directive came as security agencies intensified checks at the palace ahead of the conclusion of the nine-day mourning period and the King’s burial scheduled for Saturday at the Karambi Royal Tombs.
Earlier on Friday, the Inspector General of Police Abas Byakagaba visited the palace. Shortly after, mourners who had gathered inside were asked to temporarily leave as security teams conducted checks.
Sniffer dogs were deployed to search different sections of the palace grounds while security officers inspected the area.
At about 9am, mourners were asked to leave the palace and return about 45 minutes later after the security operation.
When they returned, security checks at the main entrance had been intensified, with mourners required to surrender their mobile phones before proceeding into the palace.
A team of scouts was deployed at the checkpoint to register the names of mourners and details of the phones surrendered. Each person was issued a paper bearing their details, which they were required to present when collecting their phone upon leaving the palace.
The same directive was communicated to journalists covering the funeral activities. However, they argued that the devices were essential for communication and filing stories.
Security tightened
Security was also heightened along roads leading to Karuziika Palace and St John’s Cathedral, with armed security personnel deployed at strategic points.
The heightened security comes as Tooro enters the final hours of public mourning for King Oyo, whose death has brought thousands of subjects, cultural and religious leaders and government officials to the kingdom to pay their final respects.
Speeches and tributes are expected during the vigil on Friday as the kingdom prepares for the burial on Saturday.
Burial programme
According to Mr Richard Rwabuhinga, co-chairperson of the burial organising committee, preparations for the final rites have been completed.
Speaking to journalists earlier this week, Mr Rwabuhinga said the burial programme would begin at 8am on Saturday when the body leaves Karuziika Palace for St John’s Cathedral in Fort Portal City.
The church service is scheduled to begin at 9am and will be presided over by the Archbishop of the Church of Uganda Stephen Kaziimba Magula alongside other clergy.
According to the programme, only four speeches will be delivered during the church service. The speakers will include Princess Ruth Komuntale, Queen Mother Best Kemigisa, Omujwera Musuuga Charles Kamurasi and a representative of the government.
After the speeches, the body will be transported to the Karambi Royal Tombs, about six kilometres from Karuziika Palace, where King Oyo will be laid to rest.