Security has been tightened across Fort Portal as Tooro Kingdom puts final measures in place for the burial of the late Omukama Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV on Saturday.
Police and the UPDF have deployed personnel at Karuziika Palace, St John’s Cathedral and the Karambi Royal Tombs, where strict access and vehicle controls will be enforced to manage the large crowds expected for the king’s final send-off.
At Karuziika Palace, additional security personnel have been deployed and barricades erected at the first entrance gate. Only authorised vehicles will be allowed into the palace grounds.
Mr Job Wabwire, the Rwenzori West Police Commander, said only a limited number of vehicles would be allowed into the cathedral grounds, including the vehicle carrying the king’s body, the lead vehicle, the Queen Mother’s vehicle, that of Omujwera Musuuga and other authorised vehicles.
‘VIPs will park at Kyebambe Girls Secondary School playground. They will walk to the cathedral, where they will be screened before being seated. Once the authorised vehicles have entered, the gate will be closed,’ Mr Wabwire said.
At St John’s Cathedral, more than five tents have been erected to accommodate mourners attending the funeral service.
Rwenzori Diocese Bishop Reuben Kisembo said the church was ready for the service, with the choir and clergy prepared.
‘As a church, we are working with the government. All preparations are over and we are now waiting for the day. The Archbishop of the Church of Uganda is the main celebrant,’ Bishop Kisembo said.
Dr Richard Rwabuhinga, the co-chairperson of the burial organising committee, said preparations had been designed to give the late king a dignified and culturally appropriate send-off.
King Oyo died on August 27 and his body was returned to Tooro on September 4.
Public viewing of the king’s remains at Karuziika Palace will end at 5pm tomorrow, when the casket will be closed.
Friday will also feature an official vigil at which visiting monarchs and delegations from other kingdoms, government officials, partners and friends of the kingdom will pay their final respects.
Dr Rwabuhinga said the committee would read messages of condolence received by the kingdom and announce contributions made towards the funeral arrangements.
The king’s final journey will begin at 8:15am on Saturday when his body leaves Karuziika Palace for St John’s Cathedral.
The body will lie in state at the cathedral from 8:15am to 9am before being taken in procession to the main funeral service grounds outside the cathedral. The main service will run from 9am to 1pm.
After the service, the body will be taken to the Karambi Royal Tombs, about six kilometres from Fort Portal along the Fort Portal-Kasese Road, where King Oyo will be laid to rest alongside his ancestors, including his father, the late Omukama Patrick Matthew Kaboyo Olimi III.
The plan
Body leaves palace at 8:15am to St John’s Cathedral.
The service at the cathedral will end at 1pm.
The body will be taken to Karambi Royal Tombs.
Only about 20-30 authorised vehicles will proceed to the royal tombs.