“We’re Sorry For Confusing You, Oyo Is Dead”-Tooro Kingdom Finally Confirms

By Swift Reporter

The Tooro Kingdom has confirmed the death of Omukama Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV, bringing to an end a dramatic day of conflicting reports about the health of the 34-year-old monarch.

King Oyo died on Thursday evening at about 10pm, according to a statement attributed to the Tooro Kingdom Prime Minister’s Office. The announcement came only hours after the Kingdom had confirmed that the King was in critical condition and appealed to the people of Tooro and well-wishers to pray for him.

“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, at approximately 10:00 pm this evening,” the statement said.

The Kingdom said the death was an immeasurable loss to the Royal Family, the people of Tooro and Uganda.

It also called on the people of Tooro to remain united, calm and prayerful during the mourning period.

The confirmation brings to a close hours of uncertainty that began when reports of the King’s alleged death started circulating on Thursday.

Earlier in the day, reports from sources said to be close to the royal family claimed that the monarch had died while receiving medical treatment in the United States.

The reports initially remained unconfirmed, prompting widespread anxiety among the Abatooro and the wider public.

The Tooro Kingdom subsequently issued an official statement saying King Oyo was “currently in a critical condition” and asked people to pray for him while warning against speculation and unverified reports.

The development represented a major shift from the Kingdom’s earlier position on the monarch’s health.

On August 3, the Kingdom had dismissed reports that King Oyo was seriously ill, describing them as false and misleading. It said at the time that the monarch was abroad for official engagements and to further his studies.

On Thursday, however, the Kingdom confirmed that his condition had become critical before announcing his death later in the evening.

Reports from sources close to the Kingdom had linked the monarch’s illness to cancer and said he had been receiving treatment in the United States. These details had not been officially confirmed by the Kingdom before his death.

A Reign That Began At Three

King Oyo was born on April 16, 1992, and ascended the Tooro throne on September 12, 1995, following the death of his father, King Patrick David Matthew Kaboyo Olimi III.

He was only three years old when he became the Omukama, making him one of the world’s youngest monarchs at the time.

As he grew older, King Oyo gradually assumed greater responsibility for the affairs of the kingdom and formally took full operational control of the Tooro Kingdom after turning 18.

His reign spanned more than three decades and saw the Tooro Kingdom engage in initiatives covering education, healthcare, tourism, environmental conservation and youth empowerment.

“Omukama Atulize. Enkuba Etutire.”