FORT PORTAL — Omukama Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV of Tooro has been laid to rest at the Karambi Royal Burial Grounds, bringing to an end 16 days of mourning following his death in the United States on August 27, 2026, after battling cancer.
The burial on Saturday, September 12, brought together government officials, cultural leaders, members of the royal family, religious leaders, dignitaries and hundreds of mourners from across Uganda and beyond to pay their final respects to the 34-year-old monarch.
The funeral and requiem service was held at St John’s Cathedral in Fort Portal City and was led by the Archbishop of the Church of Uganda, the Rt Rev Stephen Kaziimba Mugalu.
The ceremony was also marked by repeated calls for unity, peace and the preservation of King Oyo’s legacy at a time when questions surrounding the future leadership of the Tooro Kingdom have emerged.
President Yoweri Museveni, represented at the burial by Deputy Speaker of Parliament Thomas Tayebwa, described King Oyo as a good leader and champion of culture who maintained a constructive relationship with the Central Government.
In his condolence message, Museveni said Oyo played an important role in preserving Tooro’s culture while mobilising his people for development.
The President also described the late King as a personal friend who, despite his young age, consistently placed the interests of Tooro above his own.
“During the time I knew him, he always put Tooro first,” Museveni said, adding that Oyo had made many friends for the kingdom through his humility and commitment to his people.
Museveni urged the people of Tooro to pursue peaceful and lawful means of resolving any questions surrounding succession and to avoid actions that could divide the kingdom.
He said traditional cultural institutions restored in 1993 have an important role in preserving Uganda’s indigenous languages, customs and cultural heritage, but are not political, administrative or legislative institutions.
The President also used the occasion to call on Ugandans to intensify the fight against cancer and other preventable diseases, saying the death of the young monarch should strengthen the country’s resolve to protect people’s health.
He extended his condolences to Queen Mother Best Kemigisa, Omusuga Charles Kamurasi Akiiki, the royal family, the people of Tooro and all Ugandans affected by Oyo’s death.
Archbishop Kaziimba calls for unity
In his sermon at St John’s Cathedral, Archbishop Kaziimba urged the people of Tooro to remain united and avoid words or actions that could deepen divisions during the mourning period.
He warned that grief can sometimes revive old disagreements and tensions, urging the people of Tooro to handle the succession question and other differences with dignity and restraint.
Kaziimba said the loss of King Oyo should bring the people of Tooro closer together rather than become a source of fresh conflict.
He also challenged the people to honour Oyo not merely by mourning him, but by continuing the causes he championed during his reign, including environmental conservation, the fight against HIV/AIDS, tourism promotion, youth empowerment and sports.
The Archbishop further called on individuals and institutions holding historical properties belonging to the Tooro Kingdom to return them, saying the late King had consistently advocated for their restoration.
He said such properties form part of the history and identity of Tooro and should not become a source of conflict or division.
Queen Mother remembers her son
For Queen Mother Best Kemigisa, the burial was a deeply personal farewell to a son she described as peaceful, merciful, prayerful and exceptionally good.
In an emotional address, Kemigisa recalled the close bond she shared with Oyo and revealed that when his health deteriorated, she prayed for God to take her life instead of that of her son.
“When I was in the hospital, I told God to take me first. I said, ‘God, please leave my son alone; take me first,’” she said.
She said Oyo’s death left her struggling to understand why a young man she considered so good had been taken before her.
Kemigisa also recalled how she introduced Oyo to prayer when he was a child and how they would pray together before going to bed.
As he grew older, however, she said their roles changed, with Oyo eventually becoming a spiritual guide to her.
“I taught him how to pray when he was young, but when he grew up, he taught me how to pray,” she said.
She described Oyo as a peaceful and happy person who showed mercy to others and served the people of Tooro with humility.
Kemigisa also thanked the people of Tooro for remaining peaceful and standing with the royal family throughout the mourning period.
She urged them to maintain that spirit of peace, saying it would be one of the best ways of honouring the late King.
Kabaka urges Tooro to stay united
The Kabaka of Buganda, Ronald Muwenda Mutebi II, also called for unity and calm among the people of Tooro.
His condolence message was read by his brother, Prince David Wasajja, during the burial ceremony. 
The Kabaka described Oyo’s death as a loss not only to Tooro but also to Uganda’s traditional institutions.
Having served as one of Oyo’s guardians, the Kabaka recalled watching him grow from a child who inherited the Tooro throne into a monarch who carried his responsibilities with dignity.
He said Oyo remained committed to his people despite the changing and demanding circumstances surrounding his reign.
The Kabaka praised the late monarch for inspiring young Ugandans to appreciate culture, heritage and service, saying traditional institutions continue to play an important role in promoting identity and unity.
He urged the people of Tooro not to allow grief to divide them.
“As we mourn, I urge you, the sons and daughters of Tooro, to remain united in purpose, calm in spirit, and steadfast in faith,” he said.
The Kabaka also extended condolences to Queen Mother Best Kemigisa, Princess Ruth Nsemere Komuntale, Princess Elizabeth Bagaya and the wider royal family.
A young king who carried a historic throne
King Oyo died at the age of 34 after receiving treatment for cancer in the United States. His body was repatriated to Uganda on September 4, beginning a series of funeral rites across Tooro before Saturday’s final burial at Karambi.
His death brought to an end a reign that began when he ascended the Tooro throne as a child.
Over the years, Oyo became one of Uganda’s most prominent young cultural leaders, taking part in initiatives focused on development, tourism, youth empowerment, environmental conservation and cultural preservation.
His burial brought together people from different parts of Uganda, reflecting the national significance attached to his life and leadership.
The ceremony ended with calls for the people of Tooro to protect the unity and stability of the kingdom and to preserve the values the late monarch stood for.
