The Tooro Kingdom has released the final programme for the burial of the late Omukama King Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV, with mourners expected to walk about six kilometres to the royal tombs after the main burial service on Saturday.
The King’s body will leave Karuziika Palace at 8:15am and be taken to St John’s Cathedral, Kabarole, where the final burial service will be led by the Archbishop of the Church of Uganda, the Most Rev Dr Stephen Kazimba Mugalu.
Archbishop Kazimba will be joined by several bishops and members of the clergy for the service, which is expected to end by 1pm.
According to the burial programme, mourners are required to be seated at the cathedral by 8am. The King’s body will lie in state at the church for 45 minutes before a procession led by Archbishop Kazimba moves to the main service grounds at 9am.
Kingdom officials have said the King must be laid to rest before 2pm, in keeping with Tooro traditions.
Only four people will deliver speeches during the ceremony.
A sister of the late King will speak first, followed by Queen Mother Best Kemigisa. The Musuga, who heads the Babiito clan, will then address mourners.
A government minister or Cabinet member will thereafter invite President Yoweri Museveni or his representative to deliver the State’s final statement.
That address will bring the official eulogies to a close before mourners begin the journey to the royal tombs.
Mourners to walk to royal tombs
Following the service, the King’s body will be taken to the royal tombs, where he will be buried alongside his ancestors, including his father and other forefathers.
Although the tombs are situated on open ground, the kingdom has restricted vehicle access to authorised vehicles as part of the burial arrangements.
Vehicles belonging to the Queen Mother, the Abatebe, the Musuga, bishops, the Archbishop and the President’s representative will be allowed to access the site.
The kingdom’s protocol team is expected to issue stickers for between 20 and 30 vehicles.
The majority of mourners will instead make the approximately six-kilometre journey on foot from the cathedral to the royal tombs.
Kingdom officials say the walk is intended to allow Tooro subjects to demonstrate their affection and respect for the late King as they accompany him to his final resting place.
King Oyo’s three-decade reign
King Oyo died at about 10pm on Thursday, August 27, 2026, in the United States, where he had been receiving treatment. He was 34.
His death was announced by the Tooro Kingdom, which described 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 inherited the throne on September 12, 1995, following his father’s death, when he was only three years old. His accession made him the world’s youngest reigning monarch, a distinction he retained until his death.
For more than 30 years, King Oyo led Tooro, transitioning from a child monarch into one of Uganda’s best-known traditional leaders.
During his reign, he promoted the preservation of Tooro’s cultural heritage and supported programmes focused on education, youth empowerment, health, tourism and environmental conservation. He was also linked to initiatives promoting football and Uganda’s cultural identity.
Crown succession assured
The kingdom has said the future of the Tooro monarchy is secure, announcing after King Oyo’s death that he left behind a Prince who will inherit the Crown.
The identity of the heir is expected to be formally announced in accordance with Tooro traditions and customs.
Saturday’s burial will formally conclude the public mourning period for King Oyo and mark the end of a reign that began when he was three years old.
As his body is carried to the royal tombs, the ceremony will also mark the transition of Tooro’s monarchy into its next chapter.
