President Yoweri Museveni has paid the medical and repatriation costs for the remains of the late Omukama of Tooro, Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV, from the United States to Uganda.
The minister for the Presidency, Milly Babalanda, told parliament on Thursday that Museveni provided the resources to meet expenses arising from the king’s death and to transport his remains from Dallas, Texas, through Nairobi to Entebbe.
Babalanda was updating parliament on the burial arrangements being undertaken by the government in collaboration with the Tooro royal family and the kingdom. She said the remains are expected at Entebbe International Airport at 10 am on Friday, September 4, where Museveni will receive them before they are airlifted to Kyegegwa.
From Kyegegwa, the remains will be transported by road to Fort Portal, with the procession moving at a pace that will allow the king’s subjects to line the route, pay tribute and bid farewell to their monarch.
King Oyo’s chair turned towards the wall
The remains will then be taken to Karuzika Royal Palace, where they will lie in state from September 4 until September 12. Babalanda said members of the public, friends and dignitaries will be allowed to pay their respects during the eight-day period.
An evening service will be held each day, with mourners also given an opportunity to eulogise the late king. The official burial will take place on September 12, which would have marked King Oyo’s 31st coronation anniversary.
The day will begin with a church service at St John’s Cathedral at 9 am. Babalanda urged mourners travelling to Tooro to be seated by 8 am to allow the procession from Karuzika Palace to the cathedral to proceed on schedule.
The service and speeches are expected to conclude at midday, after which the traditional Kutabaza procession will move from the cathedral to the royal burial grounds.
Babalanda said the final burial rituals are expected to begin at about 2 pm.
Government mobilises
The minister said government had mobilised extensive logistical, security and protocol support for the funeral, with assistance being provided at five major venues – Entebbe International Airport, Karuzika Royal Palace, Buziga Royal Residence, Karambi Royal Tombs and St John’s Cathedral.
The support includes tents, chairs, cleaning teams, public-address systems and other facilities required during the mourning period.
Government will also support the feeding of mourners, with Babalanda commending the Chief of Defence Forces (CDF), Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba, for providing food at Buziga and Karuzika.
Funeral management expenses are being met by government through A-Plus Funeral Home. The costs include transportation, caskets, floral arrangements, condolence books, orders of service, preparation of the grave, construction of a marble tomb and establishment of a royal mausoleum to house the late king’s remains.
Security agencies have also deployed to manage crowds and ensure public safety throughout the mourning and burial period. Babalanda said the security plan covers crowd control, counter-terrorism, traffic management and other public-safety measures, as well as ceremonial duties including military bands, pallbearers, the gun salute, protocol, seating and ushering.
The UPDF Engineers Brigade is undertaking renovations and upgrades at Karuzika Royal Palace ahead of the arrival of mourners and visiting dignitaries.
Royal delegations from Uganda and other African countries are expected to attend the burial, with government making arrangements to receive and facilitate the visiting dignitaries.
Health services
The Ministry of Health has organised a health camp to provide basic medical services and treat minor ailments among mourners during the mourning period, Babalanda said.
The government is also working with Kenyan authorities through the ministry of Foreign Affairs to facilitate the smooth transportation and reception of the remains as they pass through Kenya.
Babalanda called on the people of Tooro, cultural leaders, government institutions and other mourners to maintain unity, dignity, discipline and cooperation throughout the mourning and burial period.
King Oyo died of cancer on August 28, 2026, aged 34, after reigning over Tooro for 31 years.
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