By Ben Musanje
President Yoweri Museveni has revealed that the late King of Tooro, His Highness Rukidi IV Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru, left behind a baby boy who is expected to be introduced to the public at an appropriate time.
The revelation came as President Museveni mourned the death of the 34-year-old monarch, who died on Thursday night while receiving treatment in the United States.
In a condolence message issued on Saturday, Museveni said Queen Mother Best Kemigisa informed him by telephone that King Oyo had left a young male heir.
“Her Royal Highness Kemigisa told me that H.H. Oyo left a young boy heir that will be introduced to the public at the right time,” Museveni said.
The President described the death of the Tooro monarch as a major loss to the kingdom and Uganda, noting that Oyo had died at a young age after having already endured the loss of his own father.
“It is with a lot of sadness that, on behalf of all Ugandans, Maama Janet and myself, I extend our most heartfelt condolences to the Royal Family of Tooro and to all Ugandans on account of the death of the prominent Muzzukulu, His Highness Oyo, the King of Tooro at such a young age of 34,” Museveni said.
“How unfair life can be!! He was orphaned while still young and he has died young.”
Museveni also disclosed that King Oyo had been battling an aggressive form of cancer.
He said Queen Mother Kemigisa had informed him several months ago about the monarch’s condition, after which the government supported the royal family to seek specialised treatment abroad.
“Some months back, Her Royal Highness Kemigisa, Nyinomukama, came to tell me that the Muzzukulu Oyo had cancer that was very aggressive,” Museveni said.
According to the President, the government supported the King to seek treatment first in Germany and later in the United States, where he died.
King Oyo’s death was announced by officials of the Tooro Kingdom, sparking an outpouring of grief across Uganda and beyond.
The monarch ascended the Tooro throne in 1995 at the age of three following the death of his father, King Rukirabasaija Patrick David Matthew Kaboyo Olimi III.
He was crowned on September 12, 1995, becoming the world’s youngest reigning monarch at the time.
Over nearly three decades on the throne, Oyo grew from a child king into an adult monarch who participated in cultural, social and development activities in Tooro.
Museveni said the late King had demonstrated potential to work closely with both the Central Government and local authorities to promote development in the kingdom.
The President also commended Oyo for avoiding the use of cultural institutions to promote sectarianism, saying this was a principle other cultural leaders should embrace.
“H.H. Oyo worked well with the Central Government, thereby avoiding the mistake of trying to use the Cultural Institutions that were restored by the NRM to promote sectarianism,” Museveni said.
He urged cultural leaders to understand the importance of maintaining a constructive relationship with government and using cultural institutions to promote development rather than division.
Official burial
Museveni directed that King Oyo be accorded an official burial in recognition of his contribution to Tooro and Uganda.
He also ordered that flags fly at half-mast for three days in honour of the late monarch.
The three-day mourning period will cover the day before the burial, the burial day and the day after, according to the President’s directive.
The death of King Oyo leaves the Tooro royal institution facing a new succession chapter, with the President’s disclosure of a young male heir likely to attract significant public attention.
However, Museveni said the child would be introduced to the public “at the right time.”
He ended his message by extending condolences to the royal family and Ugandans and praying for the late monarch’s soul to rest in peace. (For comments on this story, get back to us on 0705579994 [WhatsApp line], 0779411734 & 041 4674611 or email us at mulengeranews@gmail.com).
