Located about six kilometres from Fort Portal City centre along the Fort Portal-Kasese Road in Karambi I Village, Karambi Ward, Fort Portal North Division, are the royal burial grounds where three former kings, princes and princesses of Tooro Kingdom are buried.
The burial grounds locally known as Amagasani are currently undergoing renovation and construction of the grave (Iziba) where the late Omukama Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV will be laid to rest. When URN visited the site on Wednesday afternoon, works by the UPDF Engineering Brigade were ongoing.
However, journalists and members of the public were not allowed to access the burial grounds or speak to anyone involved in the construction works. URN observed that the three structures housing the graves of the former kings of Tooro had been renovated and freshly painted white.
One of the structures which had previously been grass-thatched had been covered with iron sheets while the other two structures had also been fitted with new iron sheets. The house of rituals and entrance to the burials site ( ekibiira) has also been renovated, painted and fitted with new iron sheets.
The graves of princes and princesses had also been renovated while cleaning of the compound was ongoing. Expansion works were also being carried out on the access road leading to the royal burial grounds. The kings buried at Karambi include Omukama David Kyebambe Kasagama IV, Sir George Kamurasi Rukiidi III (grandfather of Omukama Oyo) and Omukama Patrick Mathew David Kaboyo Olimi III, the father of the late Omukama Oyo.
Other former kings of Tooro were buried at different sites across the kingdom. On Saturday the day King Oyo would have marked his 31st coronation anniversary, he will be laid to rest at Karambi alongside his ancestors.
Meanwhile dignitaries and members of the public continue to flock Karuzika Palace in Fort Portal City to mourn and pay their last respects to the fallen monarch. On Wednesday, Lt Gen Kayanja Muhanga the Commander of Land Forces held a private meeting with the chief Prince (Musuuga) Charles Kamurasi at the palace-URN. Give us feedback on this story through our email: kamwokyatimes@gmail.com
