Princess Ruth Komuntale has revealed that the late Omukama of Tooro, Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV, began his battle with cancer in mid-October 2025, after more than a year of seeking medical attention for unexplained pain.
Speaking during the send-off ceremony for her brother at St. John’s Cathedral in Kabarole on Friday, Komuntale said Oyo was diagnosed with angiosarcoma, a rare and aggressive form of cancer, after earlier medical evaluations in Uganda failed to establish the cause of his pain.
“My brother’s cancer journey began in mid-October of 2025, when he was diagnosed with angiosarcoma, a very rare and aggressive form of cancer that can spread very rapidly,” Komuntale said.
She said that before his diagnosis, Oyo had spent more than a year undergoing medical evaluations in Uganda because of various pains he was experiencing, but doctors had been unable to identify the underlying cause.
“Before his diagnosis, he had spent more than a year seeking medical evaluations while he was here in Uganda for the different pains he was experiencing. Sadly, he was not receiving the correct diagnosis,” she said.
According to Komuntale, doctors initially attributed his pain to strenuous exercise or ulcers and advised him to undergo physical therapy.
“He was told that his pain was likely related to strenuous exercise or ulcers and was advised to undergo physical therapy,” she said.
By the time Oyo underwent advanced medical examinations and received the correct diagnosis, Komuntale said, the cancer had already spread significantly and was affecting several organs.
She said the family kept his illness private after Oyo asked them not to disclose his condition, as he believed he would recover and did not want to cause panic within the royal family or the wider kingdom.
“When this news was shared with us, my brother cautioned us not to tell anyone. He believed that he was going to get better. He did not want to create panic or fear among our family members within the kingdom,” Komuntale said.
She said the family respected his wishes and remained hopeful after treatment appeared to be working.
“After my brother began receiving the correct treatment, the cancer cells started shrinking dramatically. He regained energy, and those improvements gave us all hope that he was going to get better,” she said.
However, Komuntale said Oyo’s condition deteriorated in mid-July 2026 after the cancer had remained in his body for too long.
“Sadly, in mid-July of this year, things took a terrible turn. The cancer had been in his body just too long. And despite everything that was done, his condition became increasingly difficult,” she said.
Despite his worsening condition, Komuntale said Oyo remained deeply committed to his faith, continuing to pray and read the Bible.
“But even with everything my brother was going through, his faith remained intact. He never stopped praying and reading the Word of God,” she said.
Komuntale also used the farewell ceremony to urge Ugandans to take their health seriously, encouraging people to undergo regular medical check-ups and seek additional medical opinions whenever something does not feel right.
“Please take care of yourselves, receive your medical check-ups regularly, and if something does not feel right with your body, do not ignore it, please. Seek proper medical attention, ask questions, follow up, and if necessary, seek another medical opinion. Our health is a gift and we must do everything we can to protect it,” she said.
Oyo died on August 27, 2026, aged 34, after battling the illness.
He is due to be buried today, Saturday, September 12, 2026, in Tooro, bringing to an end days of mourning and ceremonies following his death.
In her emotional farewell, Komuntale said that despite Oyo becoming king, he remained her “baby brother.”
“You became a king, but to me you never stopped being my little brother. I watched you carry responsibilities that most people could never imagine. I watched you grow, learn, lead, pray, struggle, persevere, and love,” she said.
She described Oyo as a God-fearing man who loved learning, farming, sports, family and exercise, saying he could spend hours working out.
“I’m going to miss my workout partner. We had great times working out together,” she said.
Komuntale said Oyo had left behind more than a crown, describing his legacy as one of love, family, memories and service.
“My baby brother, rest now. Your work on this earth is done. May God receive you with open arms,” she said.
“And you have left behind a legacy that will continue long after today. So, my baby brother, rest now. Your work on this earth is done.”
