News
A grieving Tooro gathers at Humura to receive King Oyo’s body
Atwooki said: “We have a lot of pain over the death of our king, who has been a pillar of development, culturally and socio-economic development more especially in the areas of agriculture and health, where he emphasised the engagement of youth in production through the supply of coffee seedlings in the entire kingdom.”
The mood at Humura Grounds in Kyegegwa town council, Kyegegwa district, is sombre as hundreds of subjects stream into the venue to receive the remains of their late king. (Credit: Richard Sanya)
By: Nelson Kiva and Ibrahim Ruhweza, Journalists @New Vision
TOORO - Subjects of the Tooro Kingdom are anxiously awaiting the arrival of the remains (Omuguta) of King Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV, who died last week.
The mood at Humura Grounds in Kyegegwa town council, Kyegegwa district, is sombre as hundreds of subjects stream into the venue to receive the remains of their late king.
The remains will be airlifted from Entebbe to Humura Grounds before being moved in a procession to Karuziika Palace in Fort Portal city.
According to kingdom officials, the procession will allow subjects along the route to pay their last respects to the deceased monarch.
Byaruhanga said the large number of people present at the venue demonstrated the love they had for the fallen king. (All Photos by Richard Sanya)
Patrick Ntale Atwooki, from the royal clan of Babiito in Kyaka County, Tooro Kingdom, is among those who have turned up to receive the remains of the king.
He said: “We have a lot of pain over the death of our king, who has been a pillar of development, culturally and socio-economic development more especially in the areas of agriculture and health, where he emphasised the engagement of youth in production through the supply of coffee seedlings in the entire kingdom.”
Ntale said that, in the health sector, the king had been a key pillar in the fight against HIV/AIDS, not only in the kingdom but globally.
“Additionally, he was a key supporter of sports activities such as Masaza and clan competitions that unite the kingdom subjects,” Ntale said.
He also paid tribute to Oyo for supporting modern farming practices, including the model farm located at Nyarubabu in Mpara town council, Kyegegwa district, which is a breeding site for chicks.
“Generally, he has led us well; we need to embrace him and carry on with his legacy,” Ntale said.
Gabriel Karuhanga, 90, from Galiriya LC1, Kyegegwa town council, said he could not believe that a young man had left the world while the majority of his dreams remained incomplete.
Karuhanga said Oyo’s late father, Omukama Patrick David Matthew Kaboyo Olimi III, had promoted him to become a county chief of Kyaaka.
He remembers Oyo’s father and clearly recalls the young king. He said he could see and wave at Oyo while he was travelling to Kampala, although most of the time he would receive him when he came to see his subjects.
“The last day he was here, he asked people to work hard. The message was that no one should die of hunger,” Karuhanga recalls.
He recalls that the king last visited Humura Grounds in November last year, where he delivered the message.
Karuhanga also remembers the king promoting some subjects to become chiefs to strengthen relationships and leadership. He said he believed they would help keep Oyo’s dream alive.
He also paid tribute to Oyo for supporting modern farming practices, including the model farm located at Nyarubabu in Mpara town council, Kyegegwa district, which is a breeding site for chicks.
“Generally, he has led us well; we need to embrace him and carry on with his legacy,” Ntale said.
Gabriel Karuhanga, 90, from Galiriya LC1, Kyegegwa town council, said he could not believe that a young man had left the world while the majority of his dreams remained incomplete.
Karuhanga said Oyo’s late father, Omukama Patrick David Matthew Kaboyo Olimi III, had promoted him to become a county chief of Kyaaka.
He remembers Oyo’s father and clearly recalls the young king. He said he could see and wave at Oyo while he was travelling to Kampala, although most of the time he would receive him when he came to see his subjects.
“The last day he was here, he asked people to work hard. The message was that no one should die of hunger,” Karuhanga recalls.
He recalls that the king last visited Humura Grounds in November last year, where he delivered the message.
Karuhanga also remembers the king promoting some subjects to become chiefs to strengthen relationships and leadership. He said he believed they would help keep Oyo’s dream alive.
He said culture needs a leader to be at the forefront and added that without a king, cultural practices could perish.
“We now gather here to wait and see the remains of the king we once loved most,” he said.
Silver Byaruhanga Atwooki, a former Tooro kingdom minister of culture and deputy prime minister, said Oyo had been a king of miracles and that "how he assumed power was phenomenal."
He said Kyegegwa was a gateway to Tooro, which was why the remains would first rest there.
Byaruhanga said the large number of people present at the venue demonstrated the love they had for the fallen king.
“The king and the people have a similar DNA,” he said. He noted that the king had always visited the people.
He said that when the government was going to build Hapuuyo Seed School, there was no land, but the king donated at least 10 acres for the school.
The king was pronounced dead on August 27, 2026, a development that saddened not only the kingdom’s subjects but also Ugandans and people around the world.
The subjects continue to gather at the venue despite the extremely bright sunshine, which many believe signifies that the fallen king was blessed.
Part of the activities taking place at Humura Grounds includes prayers led by the Anglican Church.
“We now gather here to wait and see the remains of the king we once loved most,” he said.
Silver Byaruhanga Atwooki, a former Tooro kingdom minister of culture and deputy prime minister, said Oyo had been a king of miracles and that "how he assumed power was phenomenal."
He said Kyegegwa was a gateway to Tooro, which was why the remains would first rest there.
Byaruhanga said the large number of people present at the venue demonstrated the love they had for the fallen king.
“The king and the people have a similar DNA,” he said. He noted that the king had always visited the people.
He said that when the government was going to build Hapuuyo Seed School, there was no land, but the king donated at least 10 acres for the school.
The king was pronounced dead on August 27, 2026, a development that saddened not only the kingdom’s subjects but also Ugandans and people around the world.
The subjects continue to gather at the venue despite the extremely bright sunshine, which many believe signifies that the fallen king was blessed.
Part of the activities taking place at Humura Grounds includes prayers led by the Anglican Church.