The body of Uganda’s King Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV has returned to the country ahead of his burial on September 12, with nine days of official mourning and funeral rites set to begin upon the arrival of his remains at Karuziika Palace in the Tooro Kingdom.
King Oyo, who became internationally known after ascending the throne as a child, died in the United States on August 27 at the age of 34 while receiving treatment for cancer. His death brought an end to a reign of more than three decades.
His remains arrived at Entebbe International Airport on Friday, where President Yoweri Museveni and other government officials gathered to pay their respects. The coffin was draped in both Uganda’s national flag and the flag of the Tooro Kingdom.
“We don’t really believe that his majesty is no longer with us, (it is) as if we are still dreaming and I wish it could really be a dream,” said lawmaker Jennifer Mujungu, whose constituency lies within Oyo Nyimba’s kingdom.
Following the reception at the airport, the body was flown by a Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces helicopter to Kyegegwa in western Uganda. From there, it was transferred to an open carriage for the road journey to Karuziika Palace in Fort Portal.
Hundreds of mourners gathered in Kyegegwa to receive the late monarch, while people along the route were expected to pay their final respects as the procession travelled more than 100 kilometres towards Fort Portal. The route passes through Kyenjojo and Kabarole before reaching the palace.
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The King’s body will lie in state at Karuziika Palace during the official mourning period, allowing members of the public to pay their final respects. Evening prayers will also be held throughout the nine-day funeral programme.
King Oyo ascended the Tooro throne in 1995 at the age of three, following the death of his father, King Patrick David Matthew Kaboyo Olimi III. His accession made him the world’s youngest reigning monarch at the time and attracted international attention.
During his reign, King Oyo became an important cultural figure in Uganda and was involved in efforts to raise awareness about HIV/AIDS. He also served as a United Nations ambassador for HIV/AIDS initiatives.
Although Uganda is a constitutional republic, traditional kingdoms continue to play an important cultural and social role. Their monarchs do not exercise constitutional political authority but retain considerable influence within their communities.
The Ugandan government is providing logistical and security support for King Oyo’s funeral and has accorded him an official burial. Government officials have also said President Museveni supported expenses connected with his medical treatment and the repatriation of his remains.
King Oyo will be buried at the Karambi Royal Tombs on September 12. The date is significant because it coincides with the 31st anniversary of his coronation in 1995.
A funeral service is scheduled to take place at St John’s Cathedral in Fort Portal before the final procession to the Karambi Royal Tombs. Traditional burial rites will then be performed at the royal burial grounds.
King Oyo’s death has prompted mourning across Uganda, particularly among the people of Tooro, as the kingdom prepares to bid farewell to a monarch whose unusual childhood accession made him one of the world’s best-known traditional rulers.
