Prime Minister urges govt to fulfill eight-year pledge on King Oyo Stadium
Rwomiire made the call while addressing the people of Tooro following the return of the late King's body, who succumbed to cancer on August 27 at the age of 34.
Late King Oyo in action. File photo
Tooro Kingdom Prime Minister Calvin Armstrong Rwomiire has urged the Government to honour its long-standing pledge to construct the proposed King Oyo Stadium and name the facility after the late Omukama Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV.
Rwomiire made the call while addressing the people of Tooro following the return of the late King's body, who succumbed to cancer on August 27 at the age of 34.
His body was officially received back home by President Museveni at Entebbe International Airport last Friday.
In an emotional address, Rwomiire, who also shared the message on his X account, reminded President Museveni of a standing Government pledge made eight years ago to construct a stadium in Tooro, arguing that fulfilling it would provide a lasting legacy for the fallen King.
"Your Excellency, I believe this is the right moment to honour the pledge made to Tooro by making the King Oyo Stadium a reality," Rwomiire said.
He added:
King Oyo's love for sports
The truth is that King Oyo and sports have been inseparable.
Beyond the Kingdom's desire to have the proposed stadium named after him, the late Omukama Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV was widely known as a passionate sports enthusiast whose love for sport cut across several disciplines.
A renowned ardent Arsenal fanatic, King Oyo was often seen donning the English Premier League club's replicas during his leisure activities and public engagements.
Unsurprisingly, when his body was disembarked from the UPDF aircraft at Humura Grounds in Kyegegwa District, a barrage of Arsenal fans wearing red Fly Emirates jerseys were waiting to receive the body of their fellow Gunner to pay final tributes to one of their own.
With his co-driver Anthony Mugambwa, cruising in Ronald Ssebuguzi's Ford Fiesta 5, King Oyo had his first rally test during the 2024 EMC Fort Portal Tourism City rally event, underscoring his passion for the sport.
The young monarch was also the brain behind the MTN and Plascon Tooro Masaza Cup, an annual football and netball tournament that has featured nine counties of Tooro, including Kyaka, Fort Portal City, Burahya, Bunyangabu, Ntoroko, Mwenge South, Mwenge North, Kibale, and Kitagwenda.
The tournament aimed at nurturing and promoting grassroots talents within the Kingdom.
He had also championed cycling through the Tooro Cycle Racing Tournament.
In boxing, through his Minister of Education and Sports, Devine Francis Kateeba, King Oyo supported regional clubs like Fort Portal City Club, Rwengoma Ghetto Boxing Club, and Bunyangabu, further demonstrating his commitment to promoting sport and nurturing sporting talent in the region.
In his youthful days, he also played golf and has been one of the patrons of Tooro Golf Club, on top of having an influence in other sports disciplines like rugby.