Tooro Mourns as King Oyo's Remains Return to Karuziika Palace

A somber atmosphere descended upon Tooro Kingdom on Friday as the body of King Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV was transported to the ancestral Karuziika Palace. The procession, marked by silence and tears, drew thousands of mourners who lined the streets of Kyegegwa and Fort Portal City, bidding a final farewell to their king.

Businesses across the region closed their doors, and towns along the funeral route fell quiet, reflecting the deep sorrow that has enveloped the kingdom. The outpouring of grief was palpable as the procession made its way through the towns, with many citizens unable to contain their emotions.

The solemnity began earlier at Entebbe International Airport, where President Yoweri Museveni received the king’s remains. President Museveni, who spoke of his long-standing relationship with King Oyo, shared his personal grief and recounted efforts made to secure specialized medical treatment for the monarch. He acknowledged that despite these efforts, their efforts were ultimately unsuccessful.

“Today, I received the body of His Majesty King Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV, at Entebbe International Airport,” Museveni stated. “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.”

President Museveni lauded King Oyo as a “good person and a good leader,” emphasizing that his passing is a significant loss not only for Tooro but for all of Uganda. He urged the people of Tooro to remain calm and maintain order during this difficult period of mourning.

The arrival of King Oyo’s remains at Karuziika Palace signifies a poignant moment in the kingdom’s history, marking the end of an era led by a monarch who ascended to the throne as a child and became a prominent figure in Uganda’s traditional leadership.

Source: Nile Post