The Kabaka of Buganda, Ronald Muwenda Mutebi II, has expressed sorrow over the death of Tooro King Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV.
Buganda Kingdom Prime Minister Charles Peter Mayiga said he informed the Kabaka after receiving confirmation from Tooro Prime Minister Calvin Armstrong Rwomiire Akiiki.
“The news of the passing of King Oyo Nyimba Rukidi IV of Tooro left us in shock, grief and great fear,” Mayiga said.
“Yesterday, I was with the Prime Minister of Tooro. We had a casual chat. Later, he gave me this sad news, and I delivered it to the Kabaka. He was saddened.”
Mayiga said Kabaka Mutebi had sent condolences to the Tooro royal family and the people of the kingdom.
King Oyo was announced dead on August 27, 2026. He was 34.
“King Oyo was very young, having been born in 1992, and Tooro had high hopes, as did Uganda as a whole,” Mayiga said.
King Oyo had led Tooro for nearly 31 years. He ascended the throne at the age of three after the death of his father, King Patrick David Matthew Kaboyo Rwamuhokya Olimi III.
Mayiga also recalled the centuries-old relationship between Buganda and Tooro. He said the two kingdoms had maintained close ties since Tooro was established in 1830.
“Many Tooro princes and princesses have been raised by the kings of Buganda,” he said.
Mayiga added that Kabaka Mutebi was named among King Oyo’s caretakers when the young monarch took the throne in 1995.
“Even when King Oyo was crowned, Kabaka Ronald Muwenda Mutebi was named as one of his caretakers,” he said.
Mayiga urged the people of Tooro to remain united during the mourning period.
“We, therefore, grieve and stand with Tooro, and we pray that the people of Tooro remain together,” he said.
He said the Tooro Kingdom prime minister would release further details about the funeral arrangements.
