The Archbishop of the Church of Uganda Dr. Samuel Kazimba Mugalu has asked the people of Tooro to allow grief to bind them in love.
While leading the funeral service for the fallen Tooro King Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV at St John’s Cathedral in Fort Portal a short while ago, the Archbishop said that King Oyo worked hard to unify Tooro and so his people keep his legacy by promoting unity.
“King Oyo worked so hard for the unity of the people of this Kingdom and beyond, let us promote it and that is how we can keep his legacy,” Kazimba Said.
He also revealed that in honor of the King’s love for the environment and conservation efforts, the Rwenzori Diocese has donated 20,000 tree seedlings to be planted within the Tooro region. Archbishop Kazimba revealed that the diocese has already identified 95 acres for this tree planting project.
“I am so grateful that with our partners such as the Church of Uganda and the diocese of Rwenzori, each person will get a tree to plant in the memory of the fallen King,” he added.
And on a lighter note, the Archbishop reminded mourners of King Oyo’s great love for football, and specifically for the English Premier League club Arsenal.
“The best way to to remember the fallen King is to do what he wanted to do and pursue it, He supported youth centers and vocational training initiatives, let us promote them, he also supported local tournaments, Uganda Cranes and above all he supported Arsenal so if you want to follow his legacy all of you should support Arsenal,” he said.
The final journey of Tooro’s late King, Omukama Oyo began this morning from the Karuziika palace to the St. John’s Cathedral in Fort Portal.
Prior to the funeral service, the Police Brass Band led the solemn procession from Karuziika Palace, covering six kilometres under the guard of honor.
Tight security surrounded the hearse, but unlike when cameras were banned from the palace, the media was allowed to capture the moment, with a sea of mourners accompanying the King on his last journey.
At St. John’s Cathedral, prayers have been led by the Archbishop of the Church of Uganda, Dr. Samuel Steven Kazimba. Inside the cathedral, dignitaries, royals and citizens gathered in grief, while thousands patiently waited outside to pay their respects.
The funeral service has set the stage for the burial at Karambi Royal Tombs, where sacred rites are performed, marking the end of the official nine-day period of mourning and the continuity of the Tooro Crown.
As part of the royal burial rituals, the Prince elected by the royal Babiito clan to succeed king Oyo will throw nine coffee beans to signify the end of the deceased king’s reign and the beginning of a new era.
By Sulaina Nakidde
