Museveni Expresses Grief Over King Oyo's Death, Relief Over Royal Heir

President Yoweri Museveni has expressed profound sadness following the death of Tooro King Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV, who passed away at the age of 34. Describing the monarch’s demise as a “major loss” to both Tooro and Uganda, Museveni has directed that the late King be accorded an official burial and has proclaimed three days of national mourning.

In a statement released on Saturday, President Museveni conveyed his deepest condolences to the Tooro royal family and the Ugandan people. He remembered King Oyo as a promising young cultural leader who demonstrated potential for collaboration with government bodies to foster development within the Tooro region.

“It is with a lot of sadness that… 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 stated, reflecting on the King’s youth and his own early orphanhood.

The President revealed that the government had supported King Oyo’s medical treatment abroad after being informed by Queen Mother Best Kemigisa about his aggressive cancer. “The government supported them to go to Germany and, then, the USA where he died,” he noted.

Significantly, Museveni shared his relief upon learning from the Queen Mother that King Oyo is survived by a young son, ensuring the continuation of the royal line. This news was echoed by the Tooro Kingdom itself, which had previously announced the existence of a Prince who would ascend to the throne, with his formal introduction to be conducted according to kingdom traditions.

Museveni also commended King Oyo for maintaining a constructive relationship with the Central Government, steering clear of using the restored cultural institution to promote division.

The national flags will fly at half-mast for three days, encompassing the day before the burial, the day of the burial, and the day after, as per the presidential directive.

King Oyo became King of Tooro in 1995 at the tender age of three and was formally crowned in 2010. During his reign, he was actively involved in various advocacy efforts, including youth empowerment, HIV/AIDS awareness, environmental conservation, agriculture, and sports.

Source: Nile Post