The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF has paid tribute to the Omukama of Tooro, King Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV, describing him as a longstanding champion of children’s rights, education and health.
In a condolence message issued Thursday, UNICEF Uganda Representative Dr Robin Nandy said the United Nations children’s agency joins Ugandans in mourning the King, who ascended the Tooro throne in 1995 at the age of three and reigned for nearly 31 years.
Nandy said King Oyo’s experience of becoming monarch at such a young age shaped his commitment to children and young people, whom he consistently regarded as active citizens rather than “citizens in waiting.”
Throughout his reign, the King used his position to advocate for children’s education, health and future, according to UNICEF.
“As a UN Child Rights agency working with cultural institutions, we know the deep trust they hold in communities,” Nandy said, noting that cultural institutions have played an important role in keeping girls in school, protecting children from violence and harmful practices, linking families to health services and protecting the environment.
UNICEF said the King’s voice strengthened these efforts in Tooro and across Uganda, adding that his contribution to the welfare of children would be deeply missed.
The agency said it has worked closely with the Government, local authorities and communities in Tooro to support immunisation, nutrition, safe water and sanitation, early learning, girls’ education and child protection.
UNICEF has also supported emergency preparedness and response along Uganda’s border with the Democratic Republic of Congo, including interventions targeting refugee children and host communities.
Nandy said the agency’s work in the region relied heavily on parents, teachers, health workers, village leaders and the Tooro Kingdom, which he said took the welfare of children seriously.
He said the King’s advocacy carried particular influence because families listened to him when he spoke about children’s right to education and girls’ right to complete school.
“That is the measure of what has been lost, and the reason his example must be carried forward,” Nandy said.
He extended UNICEF Uganda’s condolences to the Queen Mother, the Royal Family, the Tooro Kingdom and Ugandans who were touched and inspired by the late King.
King Oyo became one of the world’s youngest reigning monarchs when he ascended the throne as a three-year-old in 1995 following the death of his father, Omukama Patrick Matthew Kaboyo Olimi III-URN. Give us feedback on this story through our email: kamwokyatimes@gmail.com
