Museveni orders 3 days of official mourning for King Oyo

What the report says

President Yoweri Museveni has ordered an official burial and three days of national mourning for the late Tooro King, Omukama Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV, according to The Observer. The monarch died on Thursday at age 34 after what the report says was a battle with cancer. Museveni said national flags would be flown at half-mast around the burial period.

In his condolence message, Museveni described Oyo’s death as a significant loss for both Tooro and Uganda. He said the young king had shown promise in working with central and local authorities to support development in the kingdom. The president also said the government had helped the royal family seek treatment for Oyo abroad, first in Germany and later in the United States, where he died.

The Observer reports that Museveni praised Oyo for cooperating with the central government and for avoiding the use of cultural institutions for sectarian politics. He urged other traditional leaders to focus on unity and development. The president also conveyed condolences to the Tooro royal family and kingdom on behalf of himself, First Lady Janet Museveni and the people of Uganda.

Oyo became king in 1995 as a child after the death of his father, Omukama Patrick Matthew Kaboyo Olimi III. Museveni said Oyo left behind a young son who would be introduced as heir later, information he said was relayed by the king’s mother, Best Kemigisa.