The body of the late Omukama of Tooro, King Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV, will return to Uganda on Friday, September 4, as the Kingdom begins final preparations for his burial.
Tooro Kingdom Prime Minister Calvin Armstrong Rwomiire told journalists at the late King’s residence in Buziga, Kampala.
Rwomiire said the return of the body had been pushed by a day from the earlier schedule, with preparations now focused on receiving the late monarch at Entebbe International Airport before transporting him to Tooro.
“It’s unfortunate that King Oyo has passed away at such a young age. We had a lot of vision, had a lot of intentions, but life is what it is,” Rwomiire said.
He said the Kingdom had now shifted its attention to ensuring that the late King is received and accorded a befitting farewell.
“The Omuguta, as we call it in Lutooro, arrives on Friday. Today will be the last day we are meeting here for condolences,” Rwomiire said.
“We will be in Parliament tomorrow when he’s been mentioned on the floor of Parliament and then on Friday we prepare to receive him at the Airport,” Rwomiire said.
At Entebbe International Airport, the late King’s body will be received by President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni before being transported directly to Tooro Kingdom.
On arrival in Tooro, the body will be received by the Omusuuga and members of the royal clan, who will join the Kingdom’s administrative leadership in preparations for the burial.
The Kingdom will observe nine days of mourning following the King’s return, after which he will be laid to rest.
The preparations come as Tooro continues to receive messages of condolence following the death of King Oyo, who spent decades on the throne after ascending to it as a child.
Katikkiro of Buganda, Charles Peter Mayiga,has urged the people of Tooro to remain united and calm as they mourn their King.
“I encourage the people of Tooro to remain united and calm during this period of grief. The interests of Tooro Kingdom should supersede those of individuals,” Mayiga said.
His call comes against the backdrop of tensions between the administrative leadership of Tooro Kingdom, headed by the Omuhikirwa, and the royal clan led by Omusuuga Kamurasi.
Members of the royal clan have raised concerns that they were not adequately involved in some of the processes following the King’s death, particularly arrangements surrounding the late monarch.
The return of the late King’s body on Friday is therefore expected to mark a major moment for Tooro, as the Kingdom moves from public mourning in Kampala to final burial preparations in the heart of the kingdom he ruled for decades.
