FORT PORTAL — Minister for the Presidency Milly Babirye Babalanda has hailed President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni for according the late King of Tooro, His Majesty Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV, an official burial, urging the Batooro to remain united and preserve the late monarch’s legacy.
Babalanda, who is also the Member of Parliament for Budiope West, joined Deputy Speaker of Parliament Thomas Tayebwa, government officials, cultural leaders and thousands of mourners at St. John’s Cathedral in Fort Portal on Saturday for the funeral service of King Oyo.
In a message posted on her official X account, Babalanda described King Oyo as a historic monarch whose reign began when he was only three years old following the death of his father, King Patrick Olimi Kaboyo II.
“His Majesty King Oyo ascended the throne at just three years old after the death of his father and ruled Tooro for nearly three decades,” Babalanda said.
She described his death at the age of 34 as “an immeasurable loss” to the Tooro Kingdom and Uganda.
Babalanda, who was involved in the national organising committee for the official burial, expressed gratitude to President Museveni for supporting the Kingdom during the period of mourning.
“On behalf of the National Organising Committee, I wish to express our deepest and most heartfelt gratitude to His Excellency President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni for according His Majesty King Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV a befitting official burial,” she said.
She said the President also supported expenses related to the late King’s illness and final journey, including his medical treatment in the United States, the chartering of the aircraft that transported his body to Entebbe and arrangements for his official send-off.
Babalanda also commended Museveni for personally receiving King Oyo’s body at Entebbe International Airport, where he laid a wreath and bowed before the casket draped in the Ugandan national flag and the Tooro Kingdom flag.
According to Babalanda, the President’s presence demonstrated his respect for the institution of the Tooro Kingdom and Uganda’s traditional institutions.
“His personal presence spoke volumes about his respect for the institution of the Tooro Kingdom and traditional institutions in Uganda. This gesture comforted the entire Tooro fraternity and all Ugandans who cherished King Oyo,” she said.
She said the decision to accord King Oyo an official burial reflected the Government’s commitment to national unity, culture and the dignity of Uganda’s traditional institutions.
Babalanda urged the Batooro to remain calm, united and prayerful as they mourn their monarch, while challenging them to build on the legacy he left behind.
“As we mourn our King, let us remain united, calm and prayerful, and preserve the legacy he left behind,” she said.
King Oyo died on August 27, 2026, in the United States at the age of 34 after nearly 30 years on the throne. His remains were laid to rest on Saturday at the Karambi Royal Tombs in Fort Portal.
He is remembered as one of the world’s longest-serving monarchs and for his role in sustaining the institution of the Tooro Kingdom and advancing its cultural and development agenda.
Babalanda concluded her tribute with a message of hope from the Bible: “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” — Psalm 34:18.
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