Minister Babalanda Pays Glowing Tribute to Late King Oyo

What the report says

Minister for the Presidency Babirye Milly Babalanda on Friday publicly paid tribute to the late King of Tooro, Omukama Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV, following reports of his death at age 34. According to Watchdog Uganda, she spoke at Ivunamba SDA Church Zone in Jinja District while presiding over the closing of a seven-day retreat organized by the Busoga SDA Women Ministry.

In her remarks, Babalanda extended condolences to the Tooro royal family and to Ugandans more broadly. She described King Oyo as a young and visionary ruler who, in her words, advanced the kingdom with an emphasis on culture, education, youth empowerment, health and environmental conservation. The article presents her statement as part of a wider message of sympathy and respect for the monarch’s legacy.

The minister also relayed greetings from President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, First Lady Janet Kataaha Museveni, and senior Office of the President officials. Beyond the tribute, she thanked the SDA Church leadership for the retreat and used the gathering to encourage support for government poverty-reduction programmes such as the Parish Development Model, Emyooga, Youth Livelihood Programme, Operation Wealth Creation and the GROW Project.

As background, Tooro is one of Uganda’s traditional kingdoms, and King Oyo has been widely known for ascending the throne at a very young age. The report places Babalanda’s remarks in the context of both mourning and a government outreach event in eastern Uganda.