Minister Babalanda praises President Museveni for King Oyo’s official burial, urges Batooro to unite

What the report says

FORT PORTAL — Minister for the Presidency Milly Babirye Babalanda used the funeral of Tooro King Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV to praise President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni for granting the late monarch an official burial, according to Watchdog Uganda. She also appealed to the Batooro to stay united, remain calm and protect the king’s legacy during a period of mourning.

The publisher reported that Babalanda, who also serves as MP for Budiope West and helped on the national organising committee, joined Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa, government officials, cultural leaders and thousands of mourners at St. John’s Cathedral in Fort Portal for the service. In a message shared on her X account, she described King Oyo as a historic ruler who came to the throne as a child after the death of his father, King Patrick Olimi Kaboyo II, and said his death at 34 was a major loss for Tooro and Uganda.

Babalanda said the government’s support covered the king’s illness and final journey, including medical treatment in the United States, the aircraft that brought his body back to Uganda and the official send-off. She also pointed to Museveni’s presence at Entebbe International Airport, where he received the body. In her view, the gesture reflected respect for Tooro’s monarchy and other traditional institutions.

King Oyo was buried at Karambi Royal Tombs in Fort Portal on Saturday. Watchdog Uganda said he was remembered as one of the world’s longest-serving monarchs and for helping sustain the Tooro Kingdom’s cultural and development work.