The Prime Minister of Tooro Kingdom Calvin Armstrong Rwomiire has called on the people of Tooro to maintain unity, dignity and restraint as the Kingdom prepares to receive and bury the late Omukama Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV.
Rwomiire said the death of the 34-year-old king was a profound loss to Tooro and urged Kingdom leaders, cultural institutions, public officials, the media and social media users to avoid statements and actions that could deepen divisions during the mourning period.
“As we prepare to receive His Majesty the Omukama and ultimately lay our King to rest, I appeal to every Mutooro to conduct ourselves with the dignity, restraint and decorum befitting this solemn moment,” Rwomiire said in a statement.
He said the priority should be to protect the late king’s memory, honour his legacy and give him a dignified farewell rather than allow disagreements, speculation and competing narratives to dominate the final days before his burial.
“Moments like these require leadership, not posturing. They require less talking and more organising,” he said.
Rwomiire acknowledged that emotions were high following the death of the Omukama but urged leaders to rise above them and lead by example.
“The world is watching us, but more importantly, the people of Tooro are looking to us for leadership. How we conduct ourselves during this difficult period reflects on all Batooro,” he said.
The Prime Minister also addressed questions surrounding the circumstances of the late king’s stay abroad and public communication about his health.
He said information that the Omukama was abroad for studies and later that he was well was communicated in accordance with the king’s wishes.
“The information communicated to the public that His Majesty was abroad studying, and subsequently that he was well, was communicated in accordance with His Majesty’s express wishes and direction,” Rwomiire said.
He added that, as someone serving the Omukama, it was his responsibility to respect the king’s wishes and protect his privacy.
“I am also confident that His Majesty acted in good faith. He was confident in his recovery and was looking forward to returning home and reuniting with his people for the 31st Empango. He did not want to cause unnecessary alarm among his people,” he said.
Rwomiire, however, declined to engage in further debate over the circumstances surrounding the king’s time abroad, saying there would be an appropriate time and forum to address issues that require clarification after the burial.
He urged Kingdom leaders and the public to avoid speculation, saying such discussions could distract from the immediate responsibility of giving the late Omukama a peaceful and honourable farewell.
The Prime Minister also appealed to the media, commentators and social media users to exercise restraint in their coverage and discussions surrounding the death of the king.
“Words spoken in moments of grief can deepen divisions that may take years to repair. Let us choose words and actions that unite the Batooro and reflect the dignity of the Kingdom,” he said.
He further appealed for privacy for the Royal Family and those who were closest to the late Omukama, saying they should be allowed to mourn without unnecessary intrusion, speculation or pressure to speak publicly.
“Our duty now is simple: to receive our King with honour, lay him to rest with dignity, and stand together as one people,” Rwomiire said.
He said future generations would remember not only that Tooro lost its king, but also how the people conducted themselves during the period of grief.
“Let them remember a people who chose unity over division, service over posturing, and leadership over controversy,” he said.
Rwomiire concluded by urging the people of Tooro to remain united and focused until the late Omukama is laid to rest.
“In all that we say and do, Tooro must come first,” he said.
Meanwhile, Tooro Kingdom has appointed the Uganda Media Centre (UMC) as the official media partner for the burial of the late Omukama Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV.
In a statement dated September 3, Rwomiire said UMC will lead and coordinate official media coverage of the funeral ceremonies, beginning with the arrival of the King’s body at Entebbe International Airport on September 4.
The media centre will coordinate coverage throughout the funeral programme, which will culminate in the burial of the Omukama in Fort Portal on September 12.
As the official media partner, UMC will oversee live coverage of key ceremonies, official photography and video production, media accreditation and coordination of local, national and international media houses.
It will also facilitate the distribution of official photographs and video footage.
Rwomiire said the arrangement is intended to ensure that the King’s final journey is documented and shared with the dignity, respect and order befitting a monarch, given the national, regional and international significance of the occasion.
The Kingdom has also urged media houses, journalists, photographers and content creators covering the funeral to work within the established media coordination arrangements and respect the privacy of the Royal Family and those closest to the late King as they mourn.
