President Museveni Receives King Oyo’s Body, Pays Tribute to Tooro Monarch

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni on Friday received the body of His Majesty King Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV at Entebbe International Airport, paying tribute to the late Tooro monarch and expressing his condolences to the Royal Family and the people of Tooro.

The aircraft carrying the King’s body arrived at the VIP Terminal at noon, where a solemn reception ceremony was held in the presence of members of the Tooro Royal Family led by the Queen Mother, Best Kemigisa, Tooro Kingdom officials, Central Government ministers and religious leaders.

President Museveni received the casket and paid his final respects before expressing his sorrow over the death of the monarch, whom he described as a good person and a respected leader.

The President also reflected on his long association with the Tooro Royal Family and the efforts made to facilitate specialised medical care for King Oyo during his illness. President Museveni recalled that the Queen Mother had informed him about the King’s health condition during a meeting in November 2025, while the country was preparing for the General Elections.

According to the President, subsequent efforts were made to secure specialised treatment for the young monarch, including treatment in Germany and later in the United States. Despite the medical interventions, the King passed away, bringing an end to a reign that began when he was still a child.

Reflecting on King Oyo’s years as Omukama of Tooro, President Museveni described him as a good person and leader and prayed for his eternal rest. “During his entire leadership as King of Tooro, he was a very good person and leader. May the Lord grant him eternal rest. Amen,” President Museveni said.

A Solemn Reception Following the arrival of the aircraft, President Museveni proceeded to the flagmast area, where the casket was formally received. The ceremony brought together national and cultural symbols, with the Uganda Police wrapping the casket in the national colours alongside the colours of the Tooro Kingdom.

The casket was then carried through a guard of honour mounted by the Uganda Police before being placed at the designated ceremonial area. President Museveni paid his final respects and laid a wreath as the Uganda Police Brass Band played solemn hymns.

Members of Cabinet, the Tooro Royal Family, Tooro Kingdom officials and religious leaders subsequently paid their respects to the late monarch. The President later held a brief meeting with members of the Royal Family, including the Queen Mother, at the Presidential Lounge. The delegation accompanying the body, together with selected members of the Royal Family, later travelled by helicopter to Kyegegwa District as the King’s final journey home continued.

King Oyo’s body will now be received by mourners and members of the Tooro Kingdom as preparations continue for his burial on September 12. The burial date carries particular significance, as it would have marked the 31st anniversary of King Oyo’s coronation.

Friday’s solemn reception at Entebbe marked the beginning of the final journey of the late Tooro monarch, as the Royal Family, the people of Tooro and the wider nation prepare to honour his life, leadership and legacy.