Thousands of King Oyo Kabamba friends,relatives and subjects cried and mourned on seeing the late Kings Casket arrive in their community .
Many could not hold back their tears as the procession carrying the remains of King Oyo passed through the streets, reflecting the deep grief that has gripped the kingdom following his death.
President Yoweri Museveni, who has been very instrumental in King Oyo’s life since childhood could not control his emotions as he received the body earlier at Entebbe International Airport
In a message following the arrival, Museveni recalled the efforts made to secure specialized treatment for the king after the Queen Mother informed him of Oyo’s illness in November 2025.
“Today, I received the body of His Majesty King Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV, at Entebbe International Airport. The Queen Mother first informed me of his illness in November 2025, and we supported efforts to secure specialised treatment for him in Germany and later in the United States. Unfortunately, he died,” Museveni said.
The President described King Oyo as a good person and leader whose death was a great loss to the people of Tooro and Uganda.
“Throughout his reign as King of Tooro, Oyo was a good person and a good leader. His passing is a great loss to the people of Tooro and Uganda,” he said.
Museveni urged the people of Tooro to remain calm and maintain order during the mourning period.
“I encourage the people of Tooro to remain calm and avoid disorganisation, even in this difficult time,” he said.
The arrival of King Oyo’s remains at Karuziika Palace marked another solemn chapter in the farewell to a monarch who ascended the Tooro throne as a child and became one of Uganda’s most recognisable traditional leaders.
Across Kyegegwa and Fort Portal, the scenes of grief underscored the profound sense of loss among the people of Tooro as they gathered to bid farewell to their king.
Meanwhile the Inter-Religious Council of Uganda–Tooro Chapter has called for calm and unity in Tooro Kingdom as the kingdom observes its traditions to identify the rightful heir to Omukama Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV.
Omukama Oyo died last week at age 34 in the United States, where he was receiving treatment.
In a condolence statement issued by Rt. Rev. Dr. Robert Muhiirwa, bishop of Fort Portal Catholic Diocese and chairperson of the Tooro Inter-Religious Council, the council said the transition should honor the continuity that the late king had assured the kingdom.
The call comes as the kingdom faces a succession struggle.
While announcing the king’s death on Aug. 27, Calvin Armstrong Rwomiire, the kingdom’s prime minister, said the king had left a prince as his heir. But Omusuga Charles Kamurasi, head of the royal Babiito clan, has maintained that the king left no heir.
The religious leaders also called on all faith communities to unite in prayer for the peaceful repose of the late king’s soul and to offer comfort to the royal family and the people of Tooro during the mourning period.
The council described King Oyo as a monarch who dedicated his reign to the service of the King of Kings and treated every religious community with equal respect.
They explained that the late king’s spirit of inclusion strengthened harmony across the kingdom and provided a firm foundation for interfaith cooperation.
The council also remembered King Oyo for his advocacy for service delivery, commitment to environmental protection, promotion of tourism and his emphasis on mindset change, strong families and education among the youth.
