news 29 August 2026 Nile Post
Kitagwenda Remembers Omukama Oyo's Deep Ties to Region
The people of Kitagwenda Saza are recalling their historical connection to the Tooro royal family following the passing of Omukama Oyo Nyimba Rukidi IV, who held a special appreciation for the area's past hospitality. Source: https://nilepost.co.ug/news/367520/kitagwenda-mourns-king-oyo-recalls-royal-familys-historic-connection-to-area
The passing of Omukama Oyo Nyimba Rukidi IV has prompted poignant reflections in Kitagwenda Saza, where residents remember a unique historical bond with the Tooro royal family. The Saza Chief, Sam Mugisa, highlighted a significant moment in the kingdom’s history that cemented this connection.
Mugisa shared that Omukama Oyo’s grandfather, Omukama Sir George David Matthew Kamurasi Rukidi III, found sanctuary in Kyeganywa, within present-day Kitagwenda, during a time of great peril. Fleeing those who sought his life, he was given refuge by the people of Kitagwenda until he could safely return to the Tooro throne with British support.
This act of refuge created a lasting legacy. Mugisa emphasized that Omukama Oyo himself frequently acknowledged and cherished this historical hospitality. The late King understood the significance of Kitagwenda’s role in safeguarding his family’s lineage during a critical period.
Further underscoring the King’s commitment to this history, Mugisa revealed that Omukama Oyo had plans to erect a monument in Kyeganywa this year. This monument was intended to serve as a lasting commemoration of the events and the enduring relationship between the royal family and the Kitagwenda people.
For Kitagwenda, the loss of Omukama Oyo is therefore more than the passing of a cultural leader; it marks the end of an era for a monarch who deeply valued and actively recognized the historical ties of refuge, hospitality, and loyalty shared with their community.