President Yoweri Museveni has granted the late Omukama of Tooro, King Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV, an official burial and ordered all Ugandan flags to fly at half-mast for three days in honour of the fallen monarch.
King Oyo, who died at the age of 34 after battling cancer, passed away on Thursday night, August 27, 2026.
In a condolence message to the people of Uganda, Museveni described the death of the young king as a major loss to the Tooro Kingdom and the country at large.
“It is with a lot of sadness that, on behalf of all Ugandans, Maama Janet and myself, I extend our most heartfelt condolences to the Royal Family of Tooro and to all Ugandans on account of the death of the prominent Muzzukulu, His Highness Oyo, the King of Tooro, at such a young age of 34. How unfair life can be! He was orphaned while still young and he has died young,” Museveni said.
The President directed that King Oyo be accorded an official burial, with the national flags flown at half-mast on the day before the burial, the day of the burial and the day after.
“I direct that H.H. Oyo be given an official burial and, for three days, all the flags fly at half-mast. The three days are: the day of the burial, the day before and the day after. May his soul rest in eternal peace,” Museveni said.
Museveni also praised King Oyo for working closely with the Central and Local Governments in efforts to promote the development of Tooro.
“In the short life on earth, he had shown that he had the potential to work well with the Central and Local Governments to develop Tooro. What a loss to Tooro and Uganda,” he said.
The President revealed that the King had been battling an aggressive form of cancer and that the Government had supported the Royal Family in seeking treatment abroad.
“Some months back, Her Royal Highness Kemigisa, Nyinomukama, came to tell me that the Muzzukulu Oyo had cancer that was very aggressive. The Government supported them to go to Germany and then the USA, where he died,” Museveni said.
He further disclosed that King Oyo had left behind a young son who is expected to become his heir.
“Fortunately, in a telephone call, Her Royal Highness Kemigisa told me that H.H. Oyo left a young boy heir who will be introduced to the public at the right time,” he said.
Museveni commended King Oyo for maintaining a working relationship with the Central Government and for avoiding the use of cultural institutions to promote sectarianism.
“H.H. Oyo worked well with the Central Government, thereby avoiding the mistake of trying to use the Cultural Institutions that were restored by the NRM to promote sectarianism. It would be good if all the Cultural leaders understood the importance of this,” he said.
King Oyo ascended to the Tooro throne as a child in 1995 following the death of his father, Omukama Patrick Matthew Kaboyo Olimi III.
He went on to become one of Uganda’s most prominent cultural leaders and, at the time of his death, was one of the world’s longest-serving reigning monarchs
