The Independent Uganda: You get the Truth we Pay the Price
Tororo, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | The Jopadhola have joined Ugandans in mourning Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru IV, the King of Tooro.
Obbo Richard Josel, the Tieng Adhola Cultural Institution’s Jago (Prime Minister), conveyed the message on Friday, saying the Prime Minister of Tooro had officially informed him of the monarch’s passing, and he had briefed the Kwar Adhola, who was saddened at the great loss.
“On behalf of His Royal Highness the Kwar Adhola Moses Stephen Owor, the people of Padhola and on my own behalf, I convey our heartfelt condolences to the Royal family of Tooro Kingdom – the Babito, the Community of Tooro, the Kings and Traditional leaders in Uganda and the people of Uganda in general upon the passing on of His Majesty Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru IV, the King of Tooro,” said Jago Obbo in his message.
He recalled that His Majesty Oyo Nyimba Kabamba IV championed the preservation of Tooro culture and heritage and served the underprivileged and the vulnerable with passion. He also worked closely with other kings in Uganda in the establishment of the Council of the Traditional Leaders in Africa (COTLA) – Uganda Chapter.”
He added that “his humility, having assumed the throne at a tender age, and service to his people during different occasions exemplified leadership that looked at Tooro beyond his legacy. While we are all saddened by this great loss, may his leadership styles and accomplishments remain a lasting legacy to inspire many within the Kingdom and beyond.
Buganda kingdom mourns
Earlier, the Kingdom of Buganda had expressed heartfelt condolences to the people of Tooro following the death of Omukama Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV, highlighting the longstanding ties between the two royal institutions.
Mayiga immediately conveyed the news to Kabaka Ronald Muwenda Mutebi II, who was deeply saddened by the death and extended his condolences to the royal family of Tooro and the people of the kingdom.
Mayiga said the Kabaka urged the people of Tooro to remain united during the mourning period, assuring them that the Kingdom of Buganda would stand with them and with all Ugandans during the difficult moment.
The relationship between Buganda and Tooro is rooted in a long history of political, cultural and royal ties dating back to the emergence of Tooro as an independent kingdom around 1830. That was when Prince Kaboyo Olimi I broke away from Bunyoro-Kitara and established Tooro in the fertile lands around the Rwenzori Mountains.
Over the generations, Buganda played a significant role in some of the most difficult periods in Tooro’s history. In the late 19th century, amid succession struggles and invasions by Bunyoro’s Kabalega, Tooro princes sought refuge and support in Buganda.
British forces, allied with Buganda, later helped restore Prince Kasagama, also known as Omukama Kyebambe IV or Daudi Kasagama, to the Tooro throne in 1891.
The relationship continued through the colonial era, with the two kingdoms maintaining diplomatic and cultural ties during the reign of Kabaka Daudi Chwa II from 1897 to 1939 and among contemporary Tooro rulers, including Omukama Daudi Kasagama Kyebambe and his successor, George Rukidi III.
Bunyoro sends condolences
In Bunyoro, the Omukama of Bunyoro Kitara Kingdom, Dr Solomon Gafabusa Rukirabasaija Agutamba Iguru, has joined leaders across Uganda and beyond in mourning the death of Omukama Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV of the Tooro Kingdom.
Omukama Oyo died on Thursday at the age of 34 while receiving medical treatment in the United States. Initial reports say that the King succumbed to Glioblastoma, a fast-growing and aggressive type of cancerous brain tumour.
Speaking on Friday afternoon, the prime minister of Bunyoro Kitara Kingdom, Andrew Byakutaga, said his Tooro counterpart, Calvin Armstrong Rwomiire Akiiki, formally informed him of the king’s death.
Byakutaga said he immediately conveyed the news to Omukama Iguru, who, he said, was deeply concerned and saddened by the passing of the Tooro monarch. In his condolence message, Omukama Iguru described Oyo as a strong pillar of development whose contribution extended beyond Tooro to the country and the wider world.
He said the late king was passionate about environmental conservation, youth empowerment, tourism, agriculture and sports. Omukama Iguru also highlighted the longstanding cultural ties between Bunyoro Kitara and Tooro, saying the two kingdoms share a unique heritage reflected in their customs, traditional marriage practices, Empaako naming system and language, among other cultural traditions.
He appealed to the Tooro royal family and the people of the kingdom to remain strong, calm and united, and to stay prayerful during the mourning period. Omukama Iguru pledged that Bunyoro Kitara Kingdom would stand with the people of Tooro throughout the period of mourning.
Oyo became Omukama of Tooro on September 12, 1995, following the death of his father, Omukama Patrick David Matthew Kaboyo Olimi III. He was only three years old when he inherited the throne, making him one of the world’s youngest reigning monarchs at the time.
Because of his young age, a council of guardians, or regents, was appointed to guide him and oversee the affairs of the kingdom until he attained maturity.
President Yoweri Museveni was among the guardians appointed, alongside Queen Mother Best Kemigisa, Princess Elizabeth Bagaaya and Kabaka Ronald Muwenda Mutebi II of Buganda. Born on April 16, 1992, Oyo went on to reign over Tooro for more than three decades before his death at the age of 34.
