The Tooro Kingdom prime minister, Calvin Armstrong Rwomiire Akiiki has urged for calm, following the death of King Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru IV.
In a statement announcing the death, Rwomire assured the king’s subjects of continuity, despite the death.
“This is an immeasurable loss to the royal family, the people of Tooro and the nation of Ugand,” he said, calling upon the people of Tooro to remain united, calm and prayerful during “this difficult time.”
The kingdom prime minister also announced the heir to the crown.
“The continuity of the crown is assured. His majesty leaves behind a prince as his heir, whose identity will be formally revealed at the appropriate time, in accordance with the traditions and customs of Tooro Kingdom.”
King Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru IV was enthroned as the 12th Omukama (King) of Tooro Kingdom on September 12, 1995, following the death of his father, King Patrick Matthew Kaboyo Olimi III. He was only three years old at the time, making him the world’s youngest reigning monarch.
Because of his age, the kingdom was initially administered through regents and a royal council as Oyo grew into his role. His coronation and subsequent reign became a significant chapter in the history of Tooro, one of Uganda’s traditional kingdoms.
For nearly three decades, King Oyo remained a prominent cultural figure in western Uganda. His reign spanned a period in which traditional institutions continued to play a cultural and social role in Uganda following their restoration by the government in 1993.
The death of the king now sets in motion the traditional process for succession.
The Tooro Kingdom has indicated that the crown will continue through a male heir
Oyo’s death marks the end of a 31-year reign that began when he was a child and saw him grow into one of Uganda’s best-known traditional rulers.
