King Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV of Uganda’s Tooro Kingdom, who gained international recognition after ascending the throne at just three years old, has died at the age of 34.
The monarch died at about 10 pm local time on Thursday,
according to Calvin Armstrong Rwomiire Akiiki, Prime Minister of the Tooro
Kingdom, who announced his death in a post on X.
“It is with profound sadness and a heavy heart that I
announce the passing of His Majesty the Omukama of Tooro, King Oyo Nyimba
Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV,” Akiiki said.
No official cause of death had been disclosed at the time of
the announcement.
Oyo became the king of Tooro on September 12, 1995,
following the death of his father, Rukirabasaija Patrick David Matthew Kaboyo
Olimi III.
His accession to the throne at the age of three made him the
world’s youngest reigning monarch at the time and brought international
attention to the Tooro Kingdom, located in western Uganda near the border with
the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Tooro is among Uganda’s traditional kingdoms restored under
the country’s republican system. While the kingdoms do not exercise formal
political authority, they continue to play important cultural and social roles.
Before the announcement of the king’s death, Ugandan
government minister Balaam Barugahara had disclosed that Oyo was receiving
medical treatment in the United States.
Akiiki described the monarch’s death as “an immeasurable
loss” but said the kingdom’s succession remained secure, noting that the late
king had left an heir.
Oyo, who was unmarried, remained a prominent cultural figure
in Uganda throughout his reign and was widely recognised for his role in
preserving and promoting the traditions of the Tooro people.
News of his death triggered an outpouring of grief across
Uganda, with political leaders, public figures and citizens expressing
condolences to the royal family and the people of Tooro.
Uganda’s prominent opposition figure and musician, Bobi
Wine, also mourned the monarch.
“Most devastating news! May His Majesty the King’s soul rest
in eternal peace,” he wrote in a post on X.
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