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All set for arrival of King Oyo’s body at Entebbe Airport
By press time, President Yoweri Museveni, a group of Oyo’s family and relatives, as well as a few kingdom officials, some clad in traditional attire, were awaiting the arrival of a chartered plane from Nairobi, the Kenyan capital.
Princess Bagaya is among the mourners gathered at Entebbe waiting for remains of King Oyo. (Credit: Miriam Namutebi)
By: Umar Kashaka, Journalist @New Vision
All is set for the arrival of the body of the fallen Toro King, Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV, at Entebbe International Airport on Friday, ahead of an official funeral set for September 12, 2026.
The 34-year-old monarch died nine days ago in a US hospital, where he had been receiving treatment for aggressive cancer.
By press time, President Yoweri Museveni, a group of Oyo’s family and relatives, as well as a few kingdom officials, some clad in traditional attire, were awaiting the arrival of a chartered plane from Nairobi, the Kenyan capital.
Museveni, who is expected to pay his last respects to Oyo by laying a wreath on his coffin, arrived at the airport at exactly 9:58 am.
The President’s senior press secretary, Sandor Walusimbi, told journalists that shortly after officially receiving the body and paying his last respects, he (Museveni) will hold a private meeting with the fallen king’s family.
Museveni is also expected to briefly address other selected mourners seated in a small tent outside the tarmac.
The President’s senior press secretary, Sandor Walusimbi, told journalists that shortly after officially receiving the body and paying his last respects, he (Museveni) will hold a private meeting with the fallen king’s family.
Museveni is also expected to briefly address other selected mourners seated in a small tent outside the tarmac.
According to Walusimbi, Queen Mother Best Kemigisa will disembark from the plane first to join the President in receiving the body.
A police guard of honour will stand at attention as the casket is removed from the aircraft and lowered onto a bier.
The casket will then be airlifted to Kyegegwa District, where it will be placed on an open, slow-moving vehicle for a road procession through Kyegegwa, Kyenjojo and Kabarole districts before entering Fort Portal City.
The official nine-day cultural mourning period will commence immediately after the body arrives at Karuziika Palace in Fort Portal City.
Oyo will be buried on September 12, a date that coincides with the 31st anniversary of his coronation.
A police guard of honour will stand at attention as the casket is removed from the aircraft and lowered onto a bier.
The casket will then be airlifted to Kyegegwa District, where it will be placed on an open, slow-moving vehicle for a road procession through Kyegegwa, Kyenjojo and Kabarole districts before entering Fort Portal City.
The official nine-day cultural mourning period will commence immediately after the body arrives at Karuziika Palace in Fort Portal City.
Oyo will be buried on September 12, a date that coincides with the 31st anniversary of his coronation.