President Yoweri Museveni on Friday received the body of the late Tooro King, Omukama Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV, at Entebbe International Airport, describing the fallen monarch as a “good person and leader” whose death has saddened the nation.
The aircraft carrying the 34-year-old King arrived at the VIP Terminal at noon for a solemn reception attended by members of the Tooro Royal Family led by Queen Mother Best Kemigisa, Tooro Kingdom officials, Cabinet ministers and religious leaders.
President Museveni, who paid his last respects to the late monarch, said he had closely followed King Oyo’s health condition and supported efforts to secure specialised medical treatment for him abroad.
“Sorry for the loss of the grandchild, King Oyo. We looked after him, we took him to school, and he grew up, but now the Lord has taken him,” Mr Museveni said.
President Museveni said Queen Mother Kemigisa first informed him about the King’s illness during a meeting in November 2025, while the country was in the middle of campaigns ahead of the General Election.
“The Queen Mother came and visited me in November 2025 during the campaigns ahead of the elections, and she told me about this problem of aggressive cancer that had started disturbing the King,” he said.
President Museveni said efforts were subsequently made to secure specialised treatment for King Oyo, first in Germany and later in the United States, but the treatment could not save him.
“But they were unable to save the King,” he said.
President Museveni praised King Oyo for his conduct during his reign, describing him as a good person and leader.
“During his entire leadership as King of Tooro, he was a very good person and leader. May the Lord grant him eternal rest. Amen,” Mr Museveni said.
Solemn reception
After the aircraft landed, the President proceeded to the flagmast area where the casket was formally received.
The Uganda Police wrapped the casket in the national colours and those of the Tooro Kingdom before carrying it through a guard of honour.
President Museveni then paid his final respects and laid a wreath as the Uganda Police Brass Band played solemn hymns.
Members of the Royal Family, Tooro Kingdom officials, Cabinet ministers and religious leaders followed by paying their respects to the late King.
The President later held a brief meeting with selected members of the Royal Family, including the Queen Mother, at the Presidential Lounge.
The delegation accompanying the body and selected members of the Royal Family later travelled by helicopter to Kyegegwa District, where the body was expected to continue its final journey home.
King Oyo’s body will now be received by mourners and subjects across Tooro as preparations continue for his official burial on September 12.
The burial date coincides with what would have been the 31st anniversary of his coronation, marking the end of the reign of a monarch who ascended the Tooro throne as a child and served for more than three decades.
Friday’s ceremony at Entebbe marked the beginning of King Oyo’s final journey home, with the Royal Family, Tooro Kingdom and the country preparing to accord him a final farewell.
