The body of the late Omukama of Tooro, King Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV, will return to Uganda on Friday, September 4, 2026, the Tooro Kingdom has announced.
The announcement was made on Wednesday by the Prime Minister of Tooro Kingdom (Omuhikirwa), Calvin Armstrong Rwomiire, while addressing the media at the late King’s residence in Buziga, Kampala.
Rwomiire said the body would arrive a day later than previously communicated, with preparations underway to receive the late King and transport him to Tooro for burial.
“It’s unfortunate that King Oyo has passed away at such a young age. We had a lot of vision, had a lot of intentions, but life is what it is,” Rwomiire said.
He said the Kingdom would now focus on preparations for the late King’s return and burial.
“The Omuguta, as we call it in Lutooro, arrives on Friday. Today will be the last day we are meeting here for condolences,” he said.
Rwomiire said Parliament would formally pay tribute to the late King before preparations begin to receive his body at Entebbe International Airport.
“We will be in Parliament tomorrow when he’s been mentioned on the floor of Parliament and then on Friday we prepare to receive him at the Airport,” he said.
Upon arrival at Entebbe International Airport, the body will be received by President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni before being transported directly to Tooro Kingdom.
Rwomiire said the late King would then be received in Tooro by the Omusuuga and the royal clan as the Kingdom begins final preparations for his burial.
The Kingdom will observe nine days of mourning following the King’s return, culminating in his burial.
The announcement came as Tooro continued to receive condolences following the death of King Oyo, who passed away after decades on the throne.
During the press conference, Rwomiire was accompanied by the Katikkiro of Buganda, Charles Peter Mayiga, who urged the people of Tooro to remain united and calm during the mourning period.
“I encourage the people of Tooro to remain united and calm during this period of grief. The interests of Tooro Kingdom should supersede those of individuals,” Mayiga said.
Mayiga’s call comes amid tensions between the administrative leadership of the Kingdom, headed by the Omuhikirwa, and the royal clan led by Omusuuga Kamurasi.
Members of the royal clan have said they were not adequately involved in some of the processes following the King’s death, raising concerns over their participation in arrangements surrounding the late monarch.
The return of King Oyo’s body is therefore expected to mark a significant moment for Tooro as the Kingdom moves into the final stages of mourning and preparations for the burial of the monarch who ascended the throne as a child and became one of Uganda’s longest-serving traditional rulers.
