Preparations for the burial of the late Omukama of Tooro, Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV, are underway, with the kingdom announcing that the former king will be laid to rest on September 12, 2026. The late Omukama’s death was announced on August 28, 2026, after he had led the Tooro Kingdom for 31 years.
The government accorded King Oyo an official burial. The official burial will be on 12th September 2026.
He was enthroned in 1995 at the age of three, becoming the youngest reigning monarch in the world at the time.
The official burial programme was announced by the Minister for the Presidency and Budiope West Member of Parliament Milly Babirye Babalanda, the Minister of State for Gender and Cultural Affairs Mary Kuteesa Kamuli, and Tooro Kingdom Prime Minister Omuhikirwa Calvin Armstrong Rwomiire Akiiki.
According to the programme, the body of the late king is expected to arrive at Entebbe International Airport on Friday morning, where it will be received by President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, the royal family and the Tooro Prime Minister.
The body will then be airlifted to Kyegegwa Airstrip and transported by road to Fort Portal City for public viewing.
It will lie in state at Karuzika Palace from September 4 to September 12, allowing mourners to pay their respects and participate in evening prayer ceremonies.
A church service will be held at St. John’s Cathedral from 9 a.m. to noon. Mourners have been advised to be seated by 8 a.m.
Following the church service, the body will be taken in a traditional procession known as Kutabaza to the burial grounds.
The procession will be conducted on foot from noon, with burial expected to take place between 1 p.m. and 2 p.m.
The late Omukama will receive a state burial. The officials said the national flag and other flags will be flown at half-mast for three days, while a gun salute will be conducted in his honour.
The officials thanked President Museveni for his support to the royal family and the burial arrangements.
They also commended the Chief of Defence Forces, General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, for preparing the burial grounds and supporting the funeral arrangements.
The Tooro Prime Minister also appealed to the media and the public to avoid spreading rumours or focusing on disagreements during the mourning period.
Rwomiire said the decision to publicly describe the late king’s absence from the country as being related to studies was based on the wishes of the late Omukama, which he said he had honoured to avoid causing unnecessary alarm.
He appealed to the media to respect the privacy of the royal family, saying matters surrounding the king’s absence and other related issues would be addressed after the burial.
The officials said the arrangements are intended to ensure a dignified send-off for the late Omukama.
The government is providing logistical support, including chairs and tents, while security agencies have been deployed to maintain order throughout the mourning and burial ceremonies.
Food for mourners at various mourning centres is being provided with support from the Chief of Defence Forces, General Muhoozi Kainerugaba-URN. Give us feedback on this story through our email: kamwokyatimes@gmail.com
