The King of Tooro, Omukama Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV, has died at the age of 34, the kingdom has announced.
The announcement was made by Tooro Kingdom premier Calvin Armstrong Rwomire Akiiki in a statement issued at 11:02 pm on Thursday, hours after social media was flooded with reports of the monarch’s death at around 12 pm.
The reports had initially been dismissed by the kingdom, with Akiiki saying the Omukama was critically ill. In his late-night statement, however, the premier confirmed that King Oyo had died at about 10 pm on Thursday.
“It is with profound sadness and a heavy heart that I announce the passing of His Majesty the Omukama of Tooro, King Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV, at approximately 10:00 p.m. this evening,” Akiiki said.
He assured the kingdom that the institution of the Omukama would continue, saying the late king had left behind a son who would succeed him.
“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,” Akiiki said.
The death brings to an end the 31-year reign of a monarch who became one of Africa’s youngest reigning kings after ascending the Tooro throne as a three-year-old. The identity of the heir and details of the succession process will be formally communicated in accordance with Tooro’s traditions and customs, according to the kingdom.
Oyo was enthroned on September 12, 1995, following the death of his father, Omukama Patrick Olimi Kaboyo II, on August 26, 1995. He inherited the throne at a time when the restoration of Uganda’s traditional institutions was still in its early years.
His reign was marked by efforts to promote education, youth empowerment, tourism, environmental conservation and economic development in the kingdom, while maintaining the cultural institution’s role in the social life of the Tooro people.
The circumstances surrounding his death had not been disclosed by the kingdom by the time of the announcement. But The Observer understands that the King had been hospitalised in the United Kingdom for some time before his death.
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