President Yoweri Museveni has expressed deep sorrow over the death of Tooro Kingdom’s Omukama, Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV, describing his passing at the age of 34 as a painful and unfair loss.
In a condolence message issued on Saturday, Museveni said King Oyo had endured tragedy from an early age after losing his father while still a child, only for his own life to be cut short decades later.
“How unfair life can be!” Museveni said as he mourned the young monarch.
The President extended condolences on behalf of all Ugandans, First Lady Janet Museveni and himself to the Royal Family of Tooro and the entire country.
Museveni said that despite his relatively short life, King Oyo had shown great potential and worked closely with both the Central and Local Governments to promote the development of Tooro.
“He had shown that he had the potential of working well with the Central and Local Governments to develop Tooro. What a loss to Tooro and Uganda,” Museveni said.
The President also revealed that the late King had been battling an aggressive form of cancer.
According to Museveni, Tooro Kingdom’s Queen Mother, Nyinomukama Best Kemigisa, informed him several months ago about King Oyo’s condition, prompting the Government to support his medical treatment abroad.
Museveni said the King was taken to Germany and later to the United States, where he eventually passed away.
In a development that could shape the future of the Tooro Kingdom, the President revealed that King Oyo left behind a young son who is expected to become his heir.
Museveni said the Queen Mother informed him about the boy during a telephone conversation and indicated that he would be officially introduced to the public at the appropriate time.
The President further praised King Oyo for maintaining a close working relationship with the Central Government and for supporting the role of cultural institutions without using them to promote sectarianism.
As a mark of respect, Museveni directed that King Oyo be accorded an official burial.
He also ordered that the national flag fly at half-mast for three days — on the day before the burial, the day of the burial and the day after.
