Busoga Kingdom has postponed the 12th Coronation Anniversary celebrations of Isebantu Kyabazinga William Gabula Nadiope IV to allow subjects and the wider public to attend the burial of the late Tooro monarch, Omukama Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV.
The celebrations, initially scheduled for September 13, 2026, will now be held on Saturday, September 19, at the Mayuge District Headquarters Grounds.
In a statement, Busoga Kingdom Prime Minister (Katuukiro) Joseph Muvawala said the decision was made out of respect for the late Tooro monarch, whose burial will coincide with the original date of the Kyabazinga’s coronation anniversary.
“This decision has been made to honour and enable all Ugandans to attend the burial of the fallen monarch of Tooro, Omukama Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV, which will coincide with the 12th Coronation Anniversary celebrations of the Isebantu Kyabazinga of Busoga,” Muvawala said.
He said the Kingdom had chosen to reschedule the celebrations to ensure that the two major cultural events do not conflict and to give subjects an opportunity to participate in both occasions.
Busoga Kingdom said the Gabula Day commemoration scheduled for September 9 in Buyende District will proceed as planned.
According to Muvawala, the event will also provide an opportunity for Busoga to pay tribute to the late Omukama Oyo.
“Meanwhile, the Gabula Day commemoration, scheduled for 9th September in Buyende, will proceed as planned. The ceremony will also be used to eulogise the fallen Omukama of Tooro,” he said.
The late King Oyo, who died at a young age after decades on the throne, is expected to be laid to rest in Tooro this week, with preparations for his burial attracting nationwide attention.
The postponement means the Kyabazinga’s 12th Coronation Anniversary celebrations will now take place six days later than initially planned, on September 19, at the Mayuge District Headquarters Grounds.
The decision underscores the traditional kingdoms’ solidarity in mourning the death of King Oyo and allows the people of Busoga to participate in the burial of the late Tooro monarch while preserving the Kingdom’s own cultural celebrations.
