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Fort Portal, Uganda | URN | The burial of the fallen Tooro King, Omukama Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV, will be conducted under strict cultural protocols, with the public barred from accessing the royal tombs as traditional burial rituals are performed.
The burial committee says the restrictions are intended to preserve the sanctity of the royal rites and ensure that the final rituals are conducted in accordance with Tooro cultural practices.
The Omukama will be laid to rest on Saturday at the Karambi Royal Tombs following a national send-off prayer service at St. John’s Cathedral in Fort Portal City.
Henry Basaliza Araali, the Kingdom Deputy Prime Minister in charge of Foreign Affairs and head of protocol for the burial committee, told journalists at Karuziika Palace in Fort Portal City on Tuesday evening that public viewing of the King’s body will end on Friday at 5 pm.
On Saturday, the body will be moved from Karuziika Palace to St. John’s Cathedral, where a national sendoff prayer service will be held from 9 am to noon. Basaliza said mourners attending the service will be required to take their seats by 7 am.
He added that the cathedral service will serve as the main venue for speeches and tributes before the body is taken to the Karambi Royal Tombs for burial. Members of the public will, however, not be allowed into the burial grounds or to access the grave. Instead, they will follow the proceedings from designated areas at a distance while the traditional rituals are performed.
Richard Rwabuhinga, the co-chairperson of the burial organising committee, said mourners will walk for about six kilometres from St. John’s Cathedral to the royal tombs after the church service to escort the King’s body to its final resting place.
He emphasised that the restrictions at the royal tombs are necessary to ensure that the burial and traditional rituals are carried out in line with Tooro customs. Rwabuhinga said the traditional rites at the royal tombs will be led by the chief priest, known as Omusuna.
The burial committee also said it expects national and foreign dignitaries, as well as cultural leaders from different parts of the world, to attend the final rites of the late King. Omukama Oyo died last week in the United States, where he had been receiving medical treatment. He was 34 years old.
