Tooro Kingdom Prepares for Historic Farewell as King Oyo’s Body Returns Home

The Kingdom of Tooro is in deep mourning as it prepares to receive the body of His Majesty Omukama Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV, who passed away on August 27 in the United States at the age of 34 after battling an aggressive form of cancer .

His body is scheduled to arrive at Entebbe International Airport on the morning of September 4, where he will be received by President Yoweri Museveni, who will pay his last respects . The late King’s mother, Queen Mother Best Kemigisa, will accompany the body on the final leg of the journey from Nairobi to Uganda .

Final Journey and Funeral Arrangements

Following the ceremony at Entebbe, the King’s remains will be airlifted by military helicopter to Kyegegwa District. From there, the body will be placed on an open, slow-moving vehicle and transported by road through Kyegegwa, Kyenjojo, and Kabarole districts before arriving at the Karuziika Palace in Fort Portal . The decision for a road procession was made to allow the people of Tooro to bid farewell to their monarch . A formal nine-day cultural mourning period will begin immediately upon the body’s arrival at the palace .

In a poignant convergence of history, the King will be laid to rest on September 12, 2026, which coincides with the 31st anniversary of his coronation as a three-year-old toddler in 1995 . His final resting place will be at the Karambi Royal Tombs in Fort Portal, where other Tooro kings are buried .

Calls for Unity and Media Coordination

In a heartfelt appeal, the Tooro Prime Minister, Calvin Armstrong Rwomire Akiiki, has called on the people of Tooro to conduct themselves with dignity and restraint during this solemn time . He urged against allowing disagreements or speculation to overshadow the final farewell. “Our responsibility is to protect His Majesty’s memory, honour his legacy and give him the dignified farewell he deserves,” he stated, confirming that he acted on the King’s express wishes in communicating his health status to the public .

To ensure respectful and orderly coverage, Tooro Kingdom has appointed the Uganda Media Centre (UMC) as the Official Media Partner for the burial ceremonies. The UMC will coordinate all media coverage from the body’s arrival to the burial, managing accreditation, live coverage, and the distribution of official footage, while appealing to all media to respect the privacy of the Royal Family .