Museveni pays Oyo’s medical, repatriation costs

What the report says

President Yoweri Museveni has covered the medical and repatriation expenses for the remains of the late Tooro king, Omukama Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV, according to Uganda’s Minister for the Presidency, Milly Babalanda, who briefed Parliament on the arrangements. The body is being flown from the United States, with the government coordinating the transfer from Dallas via Nairobi to Entebbe before it is taken to western Uganda for burial preparations.

Babalanda said the remains were expected at Entebbe International Airport on Friday, September 4, and that Museveni would receive them before they are transported to Kyegegwa and then by road to Fort Portal. She said the route was planned to allow people in Tooro to pay their respects. The remains are to lie in state at Karuzika Royal Palace until September 12, when the official burial is scheduled.

The minister told lawmakers that the government, the royal family and Tooro Kingdom are working together on funeral logistics, security and protocol. Support is being provided at several sites, including Entebbe, Karuzika Palace, Buziga, Karambi and St. John’s Cathedral. The preparations include transport, seating, food for mourners, medical support, crowd control and ceremonial arrangements.

The Independent Uganda reported that the king died on August 28 after 31 years on the throne. Babalanda said the burial date will coincide with what would have been his 31st coronation anniversary, with public mourning and religious rites planned in Fort Portal before final burial rituals.