Tooro’s King Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV has been laid to rest at the Karambi Royal Tombs.
The monarch was offered an official burial by President Yoweri Museveni and was accorded a seven gun salute before being put to his final resting place.
However, there was a reported stand-off at Karambi when the Queen Mother HRH Best Kemigisa allegedly attempted to block the burial over disagreements relating to succession. The matter was resolved after a short while.
Meanwhile, President Yoweri Museveni has asked the people of Tooro to use peaceful and legal means to resolve all differences relating to the King’s succession.
This call was contained in his message delivered by the Deputy Speaker of Parliament Thomas Tayebwa during the funeral service for the late King of Tooro Oyo at St John’s Cathedral in Fort Portal city.
“When the issue of the new king of the Batoro is solved, we shall be happy to work with the king as we did with his highness Oyo. I appeal to the Batoro to use peaceful and legal means to solve this matter and also look for maximum unity instead of division. The traditional leaders can also engage in world creation.
As we mourn his highness Oyo, I must call on Ugandans to launch an all-out war against cancer and all the other preventable diseases. 80% of all the diseases I have been told are preventable. I have heard of the causes of cancer being alcohol, smoking, aflatoxins, and bracket poisons in foods,” he said.
After the funeral service attended by several dignitaries including royal delegations from other countries including Nigeria, Democratic Republic of Congo and South Sudan, a royal procession headed to the King’s final resting place at the Karambi Royal Tombs.
During the service earlier, the Princess of Tooro Ruth Komuntale eulogized her late brother; King Oyo describing him as a peacemaker and great leader who will greatly be missed by not only the royal family, but the entire Tooro kingdom.
Komuntale recalled the childhood they shared with the King, fondly referring to him as “baby brother”.
“My brother was also an amazing impersonator, for those who only saw him on the throne had no idea how an amazing personality he was,he could mimic the way someone talked, he actually used to mimic the Arch Bishop Kazimba Mugalu a lot,”she said.
Princess Komuntale also revealed that King Oyo’s health deteriorated after a series of wrong diagnoses, which led to wrong prescriptions.
She also told mourners that her brother’s diagnosis of an aggressive form of Angiosarcoma Cancer in October 2025, marked a painful turn for his health, leading to his death on August 27th in the US.
She advised all Ugandans to value health and regularly do check-ups to ensure early detection of preventable illnesses.
“Sadly he was not receiving the correct diagnosis, he was told his pains related to stiffest exercise or ulcers and was advised to go under physical therapy, By the time he received advanced medical therapy and correct diagnosis, the cancer had already spread significantly and had affected several organs, and when this news was shared with us, He cautioned us not to tell anyone because he did not want to create panic or fear among our family members and the Kingdom,” she added.
Princess Komuntale has also apologized to the people of Tooro and defended the Kingdom Premier Calvin Armstrong Rwomwire for not revealing the King’s illness, saying it was his wish.
“I am also aware that the prime minister received criticism from some members of the public who believed he knew what was happening with my brother’s health, I want to make it very clear that he was among other people who did not know about my brother’s illness,” she said.
Relatedly, the Tooro Queen Mother Best Kemigisa called on the people of Tooro to continue mourning the death of their fallen king in peace.
Kemigisa has thanked the president, the Church and all Ugandans for the love and support Quoting the bible, Kemigisa has urged the people of Tooro especially the royal Babiito clan to maintain the King’s legacy of love and unity.
Relatedly, 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.
Delivering his sermon, the Archbishop said King Oyo worked hard for unity in Tooro and so his people must 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, the Rwenzori Diocese has donated 20,000 trees to be planted within the Tooro region.
He has 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 has reminded mourners of King Oyo’s great love for football, and specifically for the English Premier League team Arsenal.
“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.
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 earlier 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.
As part of the royal burial rituals, the Prince elected by the royal Babiito clan to succeed king Oyo threw 9 coffee beans into the grave to signify the end of the deceased king’s reign and the beginning of a new era.
By Mike Sebalu and Khalil Ibrahim Manzil
