In brief
King Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV, who reigned for over a decade as Tooro’s monarch, died in July after a US cancer treatment and was buried Saturday. The royal funeral occurred just days after a dispute erupted over who should succeed him, with the late king’s cousin being named by elders while the king’s sister insists a young son, named in a will, is his rightful heir. The burial ceremony saw a tradition of nine coffee beans cast into the grave, symbolising a transition of power. Uganda’s president and the Church of Uganda’s archbishop urged unity, warning that grief‑driven words could fracture the royal legacy. The royal clan defended its choice, claiming full respect for Tooro customs.
The royal car, guarded by aides, carried King Oyo’s body to the Tooro royal tombs in Fort Portal, western Uganda, where he was laid to rest Saturday. The 34‑year‑old monarch, who had been crowned at three, died last month in the United States while undergoing cancer treatment.
The funeral followed a brief but heated dispute over succession. The king’s cousin, Prince Edward Rukidi Kijanangoma, was named by clan elders, but his sister, Princess Ruth Komuntale, says a will written in 2022 names a young son as the rightful heir; the boy’s identity has not yet been disclosed.
During the ceremony, the traditional custom of casting nine coffee beans into the grave was performed, a ritual that marks the end of one reign and the beginning of another. At the same time, the king’s mother, Queen Best Kemigisa, reported that royal guards had been withdrawn and soldiers were moved to the palace, limiting the family’s mobility and straining access for visitors.
The Archbishop of the Church of Uganda, Stephen Kazimba Mugalu, and President Yoweri Museveni both called for unity, warning that grief‑driven words could fracture the king’s legacy. The Babiito royal clan defended its choice, stating that it had honored Tooro traditions.
Thousands of mourners lined the streets for the private burial, reflecting the deep cultural significance of the Tooro kingdom, which was restored in the 1990s after abolition in 1967. The situation remains tense, as the royal family navigates internal divisions while Uganda seeks to preserve peace.
