Buganda has paid tribute to the late Omukama of Tooro, Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV, with Katikkiro Charles Peter Mayiga calling on leaders and the people of Tooro to remain united as they prepare to welcome a new king.
Mayiga delivered the message on Tuesday evening during a vigil for the late Omukama Oyo at his residence in Buziga, Kampala, where he joined members of the royal family, leaders and mourners to pay his respects.
He said Buganda Kingdom stood in solidarity with the people of Tooro during the difficult period and urged the kingdom’s leaders and subjects to remain together as they mourn the death of their king.
“We stand in solidarity with all the leaders of Tooro and the people of the kingdom. I appeal to you to stay united as we wait for another king,” Mayiga said.
He described the death of Omukama Oyo at the age of 34 as shocking, saying that although death is part of human life, it remains difficult to accept when it comes unexpectedly and at a young age.
Mayiga said people generally expect life to move through different stages, from infancy to youth, maturity and old age, making the death of a young monarch particularly painful.
“The passing of the Omukama has shocked us and filled us with grief. We know that death always occurs, but we cannot predict when it will happen,” he said.
Mayiga recalled Omukama Oyo’s coronation in 2010, saying Buganda had watched the young king grow into a monarch who was committed to serving his people and strengthening relations with other traditional kingdoms.
“When King Oyo became king in 2010, we saw a youthful monarchy that was ready to serve its people, ready to unite them and ready to cement fraternity with other kingdoms, especially Buganda,” Mayiga said.
He said the death of Oyo at 34 had therefore come as a great shock because the young king was still expected to have many years ahead of him to serve his people and promote cultural unity.
Mayiga also highlighted the long-standing relationship between Buganda and Tooro, saying the two kingdoms have maintained close ties for more than 200 years.
He said the relationship had been strengthened by friendship among members of the two royal families and should continue despite the death of the Omukama.
The tribute came as Tooro continued preparations to receive the body of Omukama Oyo, whose death has triggered mourning across the kingdom and drawn messages of condolence from cultural institutions and leaders in Uganda and beyond.
Tooro’s Prime Minister, Armstrong Calvin Rwomire, thanked the Buganda Kingdom for maintaining what he described as an outstanding relationship with Tooro.
Rwomire said the death of the Omukama at a young age should not affect the close ties between the two kingdoms.
“I am optimistic that the relationship that exists between the two kingdoms will continue to grow,” he said.
Rwomire also announced that Tuesday was the final day of mourning at the late Omukama’s residence in Buziga, ahead of the return of the body to Tooro.
He said the kingdom was expecting to receive the body on Friday as preparations for the burial and other cultural ceremonies continue.
Parliament is also expected to pay an official tribute to Omukama Oyo as national leaders continue to mourn the king, who had been on the throne since 1995 after ascending at the age of three.
