The kingdom will begin observing traditional cultural rites following his death.
For nine days, the familiar sound of the Tooro Kingdom anthem will fall silent throughout the Kingdom as subjects mourn the death of King Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru IV, in a symbolic suspension of one of the cultural institution’s most recognisable expressions of loyalty to the monarch.
The anthem, whose verses praise and honour the king, will not be sung during the mourning period as subjects observe traditional and official rituals following the death of the monarch who reigned for more than three decades. The singing will resume after the new king is enthroned.
For nine days, effective Friday, the Tooro Kingdom will enter a period of mourning, as ancient cultural rituals, public symbols, and religious ceremonies mark the death of King Oyo, while subjects prepare to bid farewell to the monarch who ascended the throne at three and reigned for more than three decades.
The Tooro Kingdom on Friday officially declared the beginning of nine days of mourning for the late King Oyo before his burial, as the kingdom begins observing traditional cultural rites following his death.
The announcement was made by the Kingdom Omujwera Musuuga, Mr Charles Kamurasi, who also serves as the uncle of the late King and head of the royal Babibiito clan, during a ceremony at the royal palace in Fort Portal.
Addressing mourners at the palace at about 11 am, Mr Kamurasi formally announced the death of the king, calling on subjects to remain calm, united and respectful of the kingdom's cultural norms during the mourning period.
Mr Kamurasi said the exact date of burial had not yet been determined, explaining that the nine-day mourning period would also be used to make arrangements for the King's final send-off and would usher Tooro Kingdom into a traditional period of mourning while preparations for his burial and the succession to the throne continue.
Mr Richard Rwabuhinga, chairman of the organising committee for the King's send-off, said on Friday evening that the nine-day mourning period is prescribed by Tooro culture whenever a reigning King dies.
These are part of the many rituals performed after the King of Tooro dies, as explained by Mr Rwabuhinga.
He said the initial rituals were conducted in the morning by the head of the Babiito clan, Prince Charles Kamurasi, together with other kingdom ritualists.
“This (Friday) morning, the head of the Babiito clan, Prince Charles Kamurasi, conducted the initial rituals that commence the mourning time. In Tooro, when we lose a King, we mourn for nine days,” Rwabuhinga said.
According to Rwabuhinga, the rituals served two purposes: officially announcing the death of King Oyo and commencing the nine-day mourning period.
One of the major rituals involved turning the royal drum upside down.
Rwabuhinga said the drum, which is among the major royal regalia and symbols of the King's authority, is turned upside down to signify the end of the era of the reigning monarch.
“This marks the end of the era of a King, of a reigning King,” he said.
Another ritual involved members of the Babiito clan leading a group to the main entrance of the palace, where an alarm was sounded to officially announce the death of the King.
The two rituals, Mr Rwabuhinga said, formally ushered Tooro into the nine days of mourning.
Kingdom anthem suspended
During the mourning period, the Tooro Kingdom anthem will not be sung at official ceremonies.
Mr Rwabuhinga said the suspension would remain in place until the mourning period is completed.
The measure forms part of the public symbols through which the kingdom will express its mourning for the late King.
Another ritual that will be observed during the nine days, all Tooro Kingdom flags will also fly at half-mast throughout the mourning period across the kingdom.
Mr Rwabuhinga said the directive applies to flags displayed on public buildings and other places where the kingdom flag is normally hoisted.
The kingdom will also cover the lion, one of the major symbols of royal authority, at the city centre roundabout and those at the palace entrance and other locations where the symbol is displayed.
“The lion, which is a major symbol of authority for the King, will be covered in the city centre, at the entrance of the palace, and all these other areas, because the lion has gone silent. The covering of the lion symbolises the absence of the King's authority following his death.”
He said the lion would remain covered until the succession process is completed and the Babiito clan, under its head, announces the new King.
The mourning period will therefore run alongside preparations for the succession by the Babiito clan and the eventual burial of King Oyo.
The organising committee, which was constituted on Friday, will meet every day during the mourning period to coordinate the King's send-off.
Mr Rwabuhinga said the committee will work closely with the kingdom and expects to be joined by the National Organising Committee to coordinate the broader preparations.
The kingdom, during the nine days of mourning, will also hold ecumenical services during the mourning period, with evening services expected to begin on Saturday at the palace.
Mr Rwabuhinga called on Tooro subjects and well-wishers to participate peacefully in the mourning activities as the kingdom prepares to give King Oyo a befitting send-off.
Mr Rwabuhinga said the period should be used to mourn collectively, comfort the bereaved royal family and prepare for the King's final send-off.
King Oyo died on Thursday night in the United States after a period of illness. He had been on the Tooro throne since 1995, when he was enthroned at the age of three.
