The Lugbara Cultural Institution under King (Agofe) Manase Yuma Amuku has issued an official condolence message to the people of the Tooro Kingdom following the demise of their King, Oyo Nyimba IV, last week.
King Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV died on August 27th, 2026, in the United States at the age of 34 years from an aggressive form of cancer after reportedly receiving treatment in Germany and later the U.S. with support from the Ugandan government.
In a press statement issued today Tuesday at Onduparaka in Ayivu division Arua City, the Lugbara officials led by the Prime Minister described the late king of Tooro kingdom as a cultural leader who worked for national unity, preservation of cultures and quality education for all.
Delivering the condolence message in the company of several clan heads, Elly Ejiku Emo, the Prime Minister under ‘Lugbara Agofe’ Yuma Manase, said during this time of grief, Lugbara Kari strongly stands with the people of Tooro.
Ejiku added that a delegation of Lugbara clan chiefs and elders are preparing to attend the burial of King Oyo in Fort Portal in Lugbara cultural way where they will perform ‘Koliba’, (tying a piece of cloth with the Kings official colors on their chest), a cultural way of mourning a King among the Lugbara people.
Meanwhile, Enock Odupiyo, a clan leader of Omoo, secretary of Ayivu chiefdom, and personal secretary to Agofe Yuma Manase, who met with King Oyo four years ago at Muni University during an official cultural visit, described him as a leader who stood for the unity of all cultural institutions in Uganda.
73-year-old Willy Banduni, another elder from Lugbara Kari, said King Oyo Nyimba’s effort in empowering the youth and forging unity in diversity will remain as a lasting legacy among the people of Lugbara.
Lugbara Kari has earmarked a budget of 5.6 million shillings for preparations and to attend the burial of King Oyo in Fort Portal. It should be noted that Lugbara Cultural Institution has yet to be officially recognised and gazetted among the cultural institutions in Uganda-URN. Give us feedback on this story through our email: kamwokyatimes@gmail.com
