Archbishop Kazimba to lead King Oyo’s final burial service

The Archbishop of the Church of Uganda, the Most Rev Dr Stephen Kazimba Mugalu, will lead the final burial service for the late Omukama of Tooro, King Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV, on Saturday at St John’s Cathedral, Kabarole.

Archbishop Kazimba will be assisted by several bishops and members of the clergy during the service, which will precede the King’s final journey to the royal tombs.

King Oyo died at about 10pm on Thursday, August 27, 2026, in the United States, where he had been receiving treatment. He was 34. The Tooro Kingdom confirmed his death, describing it as a profound loss to the royal family, the people of Tooro and Uganda.

Born on April 16, 1992, Oyo was the son of the late Omukama Patrick David Matthew Kaboyo Olimi III and Queen Mother Best Kemigisa. He ascended the Tooro throne on September 12, 1995, at just three years old, following the death of his father. His accession made him the world’s youngest reigning monarch, a distinction he held until his death.

For more than three decades, King Oyo presided over the Tooro Kingdom, growing from a child monarch into one of Uganda’s most recognisable traditional leaders.

During his reign, he championed the preservation of Tooro’s cultural heritage and supported initiatives in areas including education, youth empowerment, health, tourism and environmental conservation. He was also associated with efforts to promote Uganda’s football and cultural identity.

The King’s body will leave Karuziika Palace at exactly 8:15am on Saturday for the final journey to the royal tombs. Mourners attending the burial service at St John’s Cathedral are expected to be seated by 8am ahead of the arrival of the King’s body.

Upon arrival at the cathedral, the body will lie in state within the church premises for 45 minutes, from 8:15am to 9am. At exactly 9am, a procession led by Archbishop Kazimba will move to the service grounds, where the main burial service will begin.

The service is expected to run until 1pm, with kingdom officials saying the King must be buried before 2pm in accordance with Tooro traditions.

Only four people will deliver speeches during the burial service. The first will be a sister to the late King, followed by the Queen Mother.

The Musuga, the head of the Babiito clan in Tooro, will also deliver a speech before a government minister or cabinet member invites President Museveni or his representative to deliver the final statement on behalf of the State.

The President or his representative’s statement will bring the official eulogies to an end before the service is concluded and mourners begin the journey to the royal tombs.

After the church service, mourners will proceed to the royal tombs, where King Oyo will be laid to rest alongside his ancestors, including his father and forefathers.

Although the royal tombs are located on open ground, access by vehicle will be restricted to a limited number of authorised vehicles.

These will include vehicles belonging to the Queen Mother, the Abatebe (princesses), the Musuga, bishops, the Archbishop and the President’s representative.

The kingdom’s protocol team is expected to issue stickers for between 20 and 30 vehicles.

Other mourners will walk from the cathedral to the royal tombs, a distance of approximately six kilometres.

Kingdom officials have described the walk as a demonstration of love and respect as Tooro subjects accompany their King on his final journey to the royal tombs.

Following King Oyo’s death, the Tooro Kingdom announced that the continuity of the Crown was assured and that the late King had left behind a Prince as his heir. The identity of the heir was to be formally revealed according to the traditions and customs of the kingdom.

The burial will therefore bring to an end the public mourning period for a King whose extraordinary reign began when he was only three years old and lasted more than three decades.

King Oyo will be laid to rest among his ancestors as Tooro begins another chapter in the history of its monarchy.

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