President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has mourned the death of Tooro King Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV, describing his death at the age of 34 as a major loss to the kingdom and Uganda.
In a condolence message, President Museveni said he was saddened by the death of the young monarch and, on behalf of all Ugandans, together with First Lady Janet Museveni, extended his heartfelt condolences to the Tooro Royal Family and the people of Uganda.
“It is with a lot of sadness that, on behalf of all Ugandans, Maama Janet and myself, I extend our most heartfelt condolences to the Royal Family of Tooro and to all Ugandans on account of the death of the prominent Muzzukulu, His Highness Oyo, the King of Tooro at such a young age of 34,” Museveni said.
The President described the late King Oyo as a young leader who had demonstrated great potential to work with the Central and Local governments to promote development in Tooro.
“In the short life on earth, he had shown that he had potential of working well with the Central and Local Governments to develop Tooro. What a loss to Tooro and Uganda,” he said.
King Oyo, who ascended the Tooro throne as a child following the death of his father, King Patrick Matthew Kaboyo Olimi III, in 1995, had reigned for more than three decades.
President Museveni also revealed that the King had been battling cancer, describing the condition as aggressive.
He said Her Royal Highness Best Kemigisa, the Nyinamukama of Tooro, had informed him months ago about King Oyo’s illness, prompting government support for his medical treatment abroad.
“Some months back, Her Royal Highness Kemigisa, Nyinomukama, came to tell me that the Muzzukulu Oyo had cancer that was very aggressive. The Government supported them to go to Germany and, then, the USA where he died,” Mr Museveni said.
The President described King Oyo’s death as particularly painful, noting that the monarch had been orphaned at a young age and had himself died while still young.
“How unfair life can be! He was orphaned while still young and he has died young,” he said.
Meanwhile, President Museveni has granted King Oyo an official burial.
According to the Minister for the Presidency, Milly Babirye Babalanda, the President has directed that the late Tooro monarch be accorded an official burial.
“The President of the Republic of Uganda, H.E. Gen. Kaguta Museveni, has granted an official burial to His Majesty the Omukama of Tooro, King Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV,” Babalanda said in a statement.
She added that the National Organising Committee (NOC) was working closely with the Tooro Kingdom and ministers from Tooro to organise a befitting send-off for the late King.
“We shall communicate further details regarding the burial arrangements in due course,” Babalanda said.
She conveyed condolences to the Royal Family, the people of Tooro and all Ugandans during the period of mourning, and prayed for the late monarch’s eternal rest.
