President Yoweri Museveni has granted the late King Oyo Nyimba Kakamba Iguru Rukidi IV,an official burial in recognition of his contribution to Tooro and Uganda.
He further directed that all national flags fly at half-mast for three days in honour of the deceased monarch.
“The three days are: the day of the burial, the day before and the day after,” Museveni said.
In a condolence message issued on Saturday, Museveni said he was extending his condolences, on behalf of himself, First Lady Janet Museveni and Ugandans, to the Royal Family of Tooro and the people of the kingdom following the death of the Omukama.
Museveni said Oyo’s death was particularly painful because of his young age and difficult childhood.
“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.
“How unfair life can be!! He was orphaned while still young and he has died young.”
The President said Oyo had demonstrated considerable potential during his reign and had shown that he could work with both the Central Government and local governments to advance the development of 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.
Museveni disclosed that the late King had been battling an aggressive form of cancer and that the Government had supported the Royal Family in seeking specialised treatment abroad.
He said the revelation about Oyo’s illness was made to him months ago by Her Royal Highness Queen Mother Best Kemigisa.
“Some months back, Her Royal Highness Kemigisa, Nyinomukama, came to tell me that the Muzzukulu Oyo had cancer that was very aggressive,” Museveni said.
King Oyo died at about 10:00 p.m. on Thursday, August 27, 2026, after battling a critical illness, according to the Tooro Kingdom announcement.
The announcement was made by Tooro Kingdom Prime Minister Calvin Armstrong Rwomiire Akiiki, who described the death of the Omukama as an “immeasurable loss” to the Royal Family, the people of Tooro and Uganda.
According to the President, the Government supported the Royal Family to take Oyo to Germany and later to the United States for treatment, where he eventually died.
Museveni also revealed that despite Oyo’s death, the Tooro royal line has an heir.
He said Queen Mother Kemigisa informed him during a telephone conversation that the late King had left behind a young boy who will eventually be introduced to the public.
“Fortunately, in a telephone call, Her Royal Highness Kemigisa told me that H.H. Oyo left a young boy heir that will be introduced to the public at the right time,” Museveni said.
The revelation provides reassurance about continuity within the Tooro monarchy following the death of the king who ascended the throne at only three years of age.
Oyo became Omukama of Tooro in 1995 following the death of his father, King Patrick Matthew Kaboyo Olimi III. His reign lasted more than three decades, making him one of Uganda’s longest-serving cultural leaders.
Museveni also praised Oyo for his relationship with the Central Government and cautioned other cultural leaders against using cultural institutions to promote sectarianism.
He said Oyo had worked well with the Government and had avoided what he described as the mistake of using restored cultural institutions to promote sectarian interests.
“H.H. Oyo worked well with the Central Government, thereby avoiding the mistake of trying to use the Cultural Institutions that were restored by the NRM to promote sectarianism,” Museveni said.
“It would be good if all the Cultural leaders understood the importance of this.”
King Oyo’s death marks the end of a 31-year reign that began when he was just three years old. His succession and the future role of his young heir are expected to become a major focus for the Tooro Kingdom as preparations for the monarch’s official burial continue.
The Tooro Kingdom had earlier assured the public that the institution would continue despite the death of the young monarch.
