culture 3 September 2026 Nile Post
Uganda Prepares for Royal Funeral as King Oyo's Remains Arrive
The nation of Uganda is gearing up for the state funeral of the late King Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV of Tooro, with his remains set to arrive in the country on Friday and burial planned for September 12th. Source: https://nilepost.co.ug/news/368762/king-oyo-on-his-final-journey-as-uganda-prepares-for-royal-funeral
The final journey for the beloved Omukama of Tooro, Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV, is set to commence as his mortal remains return to Uganda. A somber arrival is expected at Entebbe International Airport on Friday at 10 am, where President Yoweri Museveni and the royal family, including the Queen Mother, will receive the body.
State Minister for Gender and Culture, Mary Kamuli Kuteesa, emphasized the profound grief of the Queen Mother, likening her loss to “one cut from her umbilical cord.” The King, who passed away on August 27, 2026, after a 31-year reign at the age of 33, will be transported from Entebbe via a short airlift to Chegewa Airstrip, followed by a road procession to Fort Portal.
Security forces, comprising the Uganda Police Force and UPDF, will manage the procession, which is designed to allow the people of Tooro to bid a final farewell to their monarch. While there will be no formal stops, the procession will proceed slowly through major towns. Authorities are urging extreme caution on the roads due to the sensitive nature of the journey and to prevent any further loss of life.
Upon arrival at Karuzika Royal Palace in Fort Portal by evening, a cultural reception will be held. King Oyo will lie in state at the palace for nine days, from September 4th to September 12th, with daily evening prayers and opportunities for the public and associates to pay their respects.
The burial is scheduled for Saturday, September 12th, at the Karambi Royal Tombs. This date poignantly marks what would have been King Oyo’s 31st coronation anniversary, adding another layer of sadness for the kingdom. The day will begin with a church service at St. John’s Cathedral, Fort Portal, at 9 am, followed by a procession on foot to Karambi for the final burial rituals, which will include a gun salute.
This state funeral is anticipated to draw a large assembly of dignitaries, royal family members, cultural leaders, and mourners from across Uganda and beyond, all converging to honor and remember King Oyo.
Source: Nile Post