President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has mourned the death of His Highness Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV, the King of Tooro, describing his death at the age of 34 as a major loss to the kingdom and Uganda.
In a message shared on his X account on Saturday, August 29, 2026, Museveni extended his condolences, on behalf of himself, First Lady Janet Museveni and all Ugandans, to the Tooro Royal Family and the people of Uganda.
“It is with a lot of sadness that, on behalf of all Ugandans, Maama Janet and myself, I extend our most heartfelt condolences to the Royal Family of Tooro and to all Ugandans on account of the death of the prominent Muzzukulu, His Highness Oyo, the King of Tooro at such a young age of 34,” Museveni said.
The President described the King’s life and death as particularly painful, noting that Oyo was orphaned at a young age and had died while still relatively young.
“How unfair life can be!! He was orphaned while still young and he has died young,” Museveni said.
Museveni also hailed the late King for demonstrating the potential to work closely with the Central and Local Governments to promote the development of Tooro.
“In the short life on earth, he had shown that he had potential of working well with the Central and Local Governments to develop Tooro. What a loss to Tooro and Uganda,” he said.
Museveni revealed that he learnt of King Oyo’s illness months ago when Queen Best Kemigisa, the Nyinomukama of Tooro, informed him that the King was suffering from an aggressive form of cancer.
“Some months back, Her Royal Highness Kemigisa, Nyinomukama, came to tell me that the Muzzukulu Oyo had cancer that was very aggressive,” Museveni said.
The President said the Government supported the Royal Family in seeking specialised medical treatment for the King abroad.
According to Museveni, Oyo was first taken to Germany for treatment before being transferred to the United States, where he eventually died.
“The Government supported them to go to Germany and, then, the USA where he died,” Museveni said.
Museveni also revealed that King Oyo left behind a young son who is the heir to the Tooro throne.
“Fortunately, in a telephone call, Her Royal Highness Kemigisa told me that H.H. Oyo left a young boy heir that will be introduced to the public at the right time,” he said.
The President praised King Oyo for working closely with the Central Government and urged other cultural leaders to follow his example.
Museveni said the late King avoided using cultural institutions, which were restored by the National Resistance Movement (NRM), to promote sectarianism.
“H.H. Oyo worked well with the Central Government, thereby avoiding the mistake of trying to use the Cultural Institutions that were restored by the NRM to promote sectarianism,” he said.
“It would be good if all the Cultural leaders understood the importance of this,” he added.
Museveni further directed that King Oyo be accorded an official burial and ordered that national flags fly at half-mast for three days in honour of the late monarch.
“I direct that H.H. Oyo be given an official burial and, for three days, all the flags fly at half-mast. The three days are: the day of the burial, the day before and the day after,” Museveni said.
He concluded by praying for the late King’s soul to rest in eternal peace.
King Oyo ascended to the Tooro throne in 1995 following the death of his father, King Patrick Matthew Kaboyo Olimi III, becoming the world’s youngest reigning monarch at the age of three.
His death marks the end of a 31-year reign during which he transitioned from a child monarch into a prominent cultural leader and represented Tooro at various national and international engagements.
His death has prompted an outpouring of condolences from Government officials, cultural institutions and members of the public, with many paying tribute to his leadership and contribution to the development of Tooro.
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