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Fort Portal, Uganda | URN | The Tooro Kingdom has entered nine days of traditional mourning following the death of Omukama Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV, with cultural rites already underway to mark the end of his reign and prepare for the burial of the monarch. The King died on Thursday evening in the United States, where he had been receiving medical treatment.
The mourning period, known as okugaragara, officially began on Friday following a formal announcement of the King’s death by the head of the royal clan, Omusuga Charles Kamurasi. The announcement was followed by the turning upside down of the royal drum and the removal of the royal regalia, symbolic acts signifying that the kingdom currently has no reigning monarch.
The rituals were performed by members of the Basiita clan in accordance with Tooro cultural traditions. Speaking to the media on Friday evening at Karuzika Palace in Fort Portal City, Richard Rwabuhinga, chairperson of the organising committee for the King’s send-off, said Friday marked the beginning of the traditional norms and rites leading to the burial of the monarch.
Rwabuhinga said several other cultural practices would be observed throughout the nine-day mourning period. He said the Tooro Kingdom anthem would not be sung at any ceremony in the kingdom until the Babiito royal clan announces the person who will succeed King Oyo. “The kingdom song will be sung again on the new King’s enthronement,” Rwabuhinga said.
The kingdom flag will also fly at half-mast throughout the mourning period, while lion sculptures across the kingdom will be covered. Rwabuhinga explained that the lion sculptures are symbols of the power and authority of a reigning king, who is traditionally described as the roaring lion.
Rwabuhinga said ecumenical prayers and services would be held at Karuzika Palace every day from Saturday until the burial of the King. He appealed to the people of Tooro to remain peaceful and united as they mourn their monarch.
Custodian of the Kingdom
Omusuga Kamurasi said that, according to Tooro tradition, he is currently the custodian of the kingdom until a new King is enthroned. He reiterated that all official communication regarding the burial arrangements, mourning programme and other related activities would be made only by him. Kamurasi said that following the death of King Oyo, no individual currently has the authority to act as monarch until a new King is chosen and enthroned. He also assured kingdom subjects that Karuzika Palace remains open to everyone wishing to come and mourn the late King.
Traditional Rites Continue
Zebidayo Mwesige, a traditional rites performer and former Tooro Kingdom Minister of Culture, said various cultural norms and rituals would be performed during the nine-day mourning period and explained to the people as they unfold. Mwesige said that once the King’s body is repatriated from the United States, it would be taken to one of the existing royal palaces as preparations for the burial continue.
He said subjects were expected to remain calm and observe cultural practices during the mourning period. According to Mwesige, subjects are traditionally expected to avoid strenuous activities such as digging as a way of expressing grief over the death of the monarch. He added that those who can fast may do so as another expression of sorrow and respect for the deceased King.
Vigil at Karuzika
On Friday evening, subjects gathered at Karuzika Palace for a vigil in honour of the late King. As part of the traditional mourning rituals, a vigil fire was lit at the entrance of the royal parlour, locally known as Omusanga, where mourners gathered to pay their respects and mourn the monarch.
