Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni has disclosed that the King of Tooro, His Highness Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV, died at the age of 34 after battling an aggressive form of cancer.
Museveni made the disclosure on Saturday in a statement posted on his X handle while mourning the late monarch and extending his condolences to the royal family and the people of Tooro Kingdom.
According to the Ugandan president, the government became aware of the monarch’s condition after Her Royal Highness Kemigisa, Nyinomukama, informed him that Oyo had been diagnosed with an aggressive form of cancer.
“Some months back, Her Royal Highness Kemigisa, Nyinomukama, came to tell me that the Muzzukulu Oyo had cancer that was very aggressive,” Museveni said.
He explained that the government subsequently supported the royal family in seeking medical treatment for the young monarch, first in Germany and later in the United States, where he eventually died.
“The Government supported them to go to Germany and, then, the USA where he died,” he said.
Museveni described the death of the 34-year-old monarch as a significant loss to Tooro Kingdom and Uganda, saying Oyo had demonstrated considerable potential to contribute to the development of the kingdom.
“What a loss to Tooro and Uganda,” the president said.
The Ugandan leader also reflected on the hardships the late king experienced during his lifetime, noting that Oyo was orphaned at a young age before ascending the throne.
“How unfair life can be!! He was orphaned while still young and he has died young,” Museveni said.
He added that despite his relatively short life, Oyo had demonstrated an ability to work with both the central and local governments towards the development of Tooro.
“In the short life on earth, he had shown that he had potential of working well with the Central and Local Governments to develop Tooro,” Museveni said.
The president extended his condolences to the royal family and the people of Tooro on behalf of himself, his wife, Janet Museveni, and the people of Uganda.
Oyo, who became Omukama of Tooro at the age of three following the death of his father, became widely recognised as the world’s youngest reigning monarch at the time of his accession.
His death was announced by the Prime Minister of Tooro Kingdom, Calvin Armstrong Rwomiire Akiiki, in a statement posted on X.
