The Omukama of Tooro, Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV, has died at the age of 34, the kingdom announced late on Thursday night. In a statement issued shortly after 11 p.m., the kingdom’s prime minister, Calvin Armstrong Rwomiire Akiiki, said the monarch died at about 10 p.m. that evening and described his death as an immeasurable loss to the royal family, the people of Tooro and to Uganda. The statement closed with the Rutooro mourning expression, “Omukama Atulize. Enkuba Etutire.”
Rwomiire said the king had left behind a prince as his heir, and that the heir’s identity would be disclosed at an appropriate time in keeping with the traditions and customs of the kingdom. He gave no timeframe for that announcement. He appealed to the Batooro to remain united, calm and prayerful, and said the continuity of the crown was assured.
The announcement followed a day of confusion in Fort Portal and on social media. Reports that the king had died began circulating around midday on Thursday and were dismissed by kingdom officials, who said at the time that he was critically ill. Earlier in the afternoon, both kingdom authorities and the Minister for Local Government, Balaam Barugahara, had confirmed that the 34-year-old was seriously ill and receiving treatment in the United States, appealing for prayers and asking the public not to spread unverified claims. Reports of ill health had surfaced earlier in the month and were rejected by the kingdom on August 3, when officials said the king was abroad on engagements and for studies.
No official cause of death has been given. ChimpReports, citing family sources, reported that King Oyo died in the United States and had been hospitalised there with cancer. The kingdom’s statement did not address either point.
King Oyo was born on April 16, 1992, the son of Omukama Patrick David Matthew Kaboyo Rwamuhokya Olimi III and Queen Mother Best Kemigisa. He ascended the throne on September 12, 1995, weeks after his father’s death on August 26 that year, and was three years old at the ceremony, which drew international attention and a Guinness World Records entry as the world’s youngest reigning monarch. Because of his age, kingdom affairs were run under a regency that included his mother, Princess Elizabeth Bagaaya and Prince James Desmond Mugenyi, with President Yoweri Museveni as guardian. He took on full responsibility for the throne after turning 18 in 2010, the year of his adult coronation.
His reign lasted just short of 31 years. He was educated in Uganda and Britain, and used the throne to promote education, health, environmental conservation, tourism and youth causes, including work as an ambassador on HIV/AIDS awareness and the launch of the kingdom’s Vision 2045 development framework.
Rwomiire said a further statement on funeral and mourning arrangements would be issued by the royal family and the kingdom administration.
