Business came to a halt in Fort portal Tourism City on Friday evening as thousands of mourners gathered to pay their respects to the late King Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Igurru Rukid IV. The King, who passed away last Thursday in Dallas, US, where he was receiving medical treatment, was escorted through the city in a solemn procession that drew an overwhelming crowd.
The cortege arrived at Humura Playground in Kyegegwa at around 1:15 PM, where the body was lowered from a helicopter and placed onto a mourning hearse. Crowds swelled along the Fort portal-Kyegegwa route lining up to catch a glimpse of the casket containing the remains of the king.
As the procession moved into Kitumba trading center in Fort Portal, the number of mourners increased, with many joining on motorcycles, cars, and on foot. At Mpanga Market, traffic was brought to a total standstill as thousands of people blocked the roads to view the funeral convoy.
Notably, Arsenal fans gathered to mourn, claiming the King was also a supporter of their team. By approximately 6:50 PM, the body reached Fort Portal city centre, with throngs of people lining the main roundabout, Lugard Road, and the Fort Portal-Kasese Road.
Businesses shut down, boda boda stages closed, and the city was filled with mourners holding phones up to capture the somber procession and sharing updates on social media. Led by police, the funeral convoy eventually arrived at Kasuruzik Royal Palace around 7:10 PM.
However, the large crowds forced authorities to block access to the palace, urging mourners to come back in the following days to pay their respects.
Rashid Kwezi, one of those who had been waiting since none said the passing of King Oyo has left the community in deep mourning.
Joyce Sanyu, a local resident, expressed her heartfelt condolences, saying, her thoughts are with the Queen Mother, adding that losing a child is one of the most difficult things for a mother. The casket containing the King has been ushered into the palace and this is proceeded by a church service-URN. Give us feedback on this story through our email: kamwokyatimes@gmail.com
