Uganda’s King Oyo Buried as Dispute Over His Successor Deepens

Thousands of mourners gathered in Fort Portal as King Oyo of Tooro was buried amid a dispute over his succession.

Uganda’s King Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV has been buried in Fort Portal, days after a dispute emerged over who should succeed him as monarch of the Tooro Kingdom.

Oyo, who was 34, died in the United States last month while undergoing cancer treatment. He had ruled Tooro, one of Uganda’s traditional kingdoms, since becoming king at the age of three.

Thousands of mourners lined the streets of Fort Portal on Saturday as the late king’s casket was taken to the royal tombs, where a private burial ceremony was held.

Oyo became Tooro’s monarch as a toddler and was recognised by Guinness World Records as the world’s youngest reigning monarch during his reign.

The burial took place against the backdrop of an unresolved succession dispute involving members of the royal family and the Babiito clan, which oversees the traditional succession process.

TV news presenter Prince Edward Rukidi Kijanangoma, 56, was named as the next monarch by clan elders. During the burial ceremony, he reportedly cast nine coffee beans into Oyo’s grave, a traditional ritual understood to signify the end of one reign and the beginning of another.

However, members of Oyo’s family have rejected Kijanangoma’s selection.

Oyo’s sister, Princess Ruth Komuntale, said the late king had left a will in 2022 naming his young son as his successor. The identity of the child has not been publicly disclosed.

The succession dispute also led to concerns within the royal family over security arrangements at the palace.

Queen Best Kemigisa, Oyo’s mother, said royal guards had been withdrawn from the palace and replaced with soldiers. She described the situation as “house arrest”, saying the development restricted the royal family’s movement and ability to receive visitors.

The Archbishop of the Church of Uganda, Stephen Kazimba Mugalu, called for unity during Saturday’s burial ceremony, warning that disagreements surrounding the succession could damage the legacy of the late king.

“Words spoken in grief can cause pain, division and conflict. It can even destroy the legacy of the king we are mourning,” he told mourners.

Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni also urged those involved to resolve the succession dispute and prioritise unity.

The Babiito royal clan, however, defended its decision to name Kijanangoma as the next monarch.

Omusuuga Charles Karumasi, head of the Babiito royal clan, said the succession process had been conducted in accordance with Tooro’s culture and traditions.

“We have done everything in observance of the culture and traditions of Tooro. We must all preserve peace and serenity,” Karumasi said.

Tooro is one of Uganda’s traditional kingdoms. The kingdoms were abolished by the government in 1967 and restored in the 1990s under President Museveni. Their monarchs are recognised as cultural leaders rather than political rulers.

With the burial of King Oyo now completed, attention is expected to remain focused on the competing claims surrounding the future leadership of the Tooro Kingdom.

No Sex During King Oyo’s Mourning: Tooro Kingdom Announces 9-Day Rules

The Tooro Kingdom in western Uganda has announced a series of traditional mourning practices ahead of the burial of its late monarch, King Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV.

The King’s burial has been scheduled for September 12, 2026, at the Karambi Royal Tombs in Fort Portal, marking the end of the nine-day official mourning period.

As the kingdom prepares for the final rites, members of the Babiito royal clan have outlined traditional practices expected to be observed during the mourning period.

One of the notable restrictions is a prohibition on sexual intimacy. Men have been instructed to leave their marital beds and refrain from sexual relations with their wives throughout the official mourning period.

Farming has also been suspended for the nine days of mourning. According to the traditional guidelines, the suspension is part of the customary way of honouring a deceased monarch.

The kingdom has also called for a reduction in entertainment activities, with bars and other venues expected to avoid loud music and activities considered inappropriate during the period of mourning.

Some traditional items, including drums and spears, are expected to be turned upside down as a symbolic expression of grief and respect for the late King.

Mourners and members of the public who intend to participate in the King’s final journey have also been encouraged to observe appropriate dress and conduct. Traditional attire, including kanzus for men and suukas for women, is encouraged as part of the cultural observance.

King Oyo’s remains are expected to be taken to Karuziika Palace, where members of the public will have an opportunity to pay their final respects during the mourning period. Prayers and other traditional activities are also expected to take place at the palace.

The kingdom has urged mourners to maintain peace, order and respect throughout the ceremonies as security and logistical arrangements continue around the palace and funeral route.

The authorities have also introduced guidelines for journalists, photographers and social media content creators covering the funeral, urging them to respect the privacy and dignity of the royal family and mourners.

Media coverage is being coordinated through the Uganda Media Centre, with accreditation and other arrangements put in place for those covering the ceremonies.

King Oyo died at the age of 34 after a period of illness while receiving medical care in the United States. He had been on the Tooro throne since September 12, 1995, when he was only three years old.

Interestingly, his burial date coincides with the anniversary of his coronation. September 12, 2026, will mark 31 years since he was installed as the Omukama of Tooro.

His burial will therefore not only bring the official nine-day mourning period to an end but will also mark the closing chapter of a 31-year reign that began when he was a child.

The Tooro Kingdom is expected to begin a succession process following the burial, with the Babiito royal clan responsible for overseeing the traditional procedures for identifying the next Omukama.

As preparations continue, the kingdom has called on residents, visitors and all those taking part in the ceremonies to respect the traditional mourning rules and ensure that King Oyo’s final journey is conducted with dignity and according to Tooro customs.