Fort Portal, Uganda | URN | Only four official speeches will be delivered during the final send-off ceremony of Tooro King Omukama Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukiidi IV, as the kingdom moves to keep the burial within its traditional early-afternoon schedule.
The speakers will be the Queen Mother, Best Kemigisa; royal princess and the King’s sister, Ruth Nsemere Komuntale; head of the Babiito royal clan, Charles Kamurasi; and the President or his representative. The main send-off Mass will be presided over by the Archbishop of the Church of Uganda, His Grace Stephen Kazimba Mugalu, assisted by Rt Rev Reuben Kisembo, Bishop of Ruwenzori Diocese.
Richard Rwabuhinga, co-chair of the burial organising committee, said strict time management will be observed throughout the programme to ensure that the ceremony remains orderly and respects Tooro burial traditions. He said other mourners who wish to speak will be given an opportunity on Friday, ahead of the burial.
Access to the royal burial ground at Karambi will also be restricted to immediate members of the royal family and top government officials. Other mourners will be required to observe the burial from a designated distance, according to the burial arrangements.
Mourners are expected to walk about six kilometres from St John’s Cathedral to Karambi, with only a limited number of vehicles allowed to escort the King’s body. The organising committee said the number of vehicles accompanying the procession will not exceed 30.
The arrangements are intended to preserve the solemnity of the final rites while accommodating the large number of mourners expected to attend the King’s burial. Meanwhile, the Federation of Uganda Football Associations (FUFA) has joined the tributes to King Oyo, recognising his contribution to sports and his support for the Uganda Cranes.
FUFA President Moses Magogo Hassan, in a message delivered on Tuesday by the federation’s first vice president, Justus Mugisha, praised the late King for his passion for sports and his support for nurturing young talent. Magogo recalled the King’s attendance at key Uganda Cranes matches, describing his presence at the games as among the moments cherished by the football fraternity.
King Oyo died in September 2026 after more than three decades on the Tooro throne. His final burial is being held at the royal tombs in Karambi, Fort Portal.
