The Kingdom of Tooro has been plunged into mourning following the death of its beloved monarch, King Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV, at the age of 34.
Tooro Kingdom Prime Minister Calvin Armstrong Rwomiire Akiiki announced that the Omukama died at approximately 10:00 p.m. on Thursday, August 27, 2026.
The announcement came only hours after the kingdom had confirmed that King Oyo was in critical condition and appealed to the people of Tooro and well-wishers across Uganda to pray for him.
Earlier in the day, government officials had also urged the public to disregard premature reports of his death while confirming that the monarch was receiving medical care in the United States.
But by Thursday night, the kingdom delivered the heartbreaking confirmation.
Rwomiire described the death as “an immeasurable loss” to the Royal Family, the people of Tooro and Uganda.
King Oyo was born on April 16, 1992, and became Omukama of Tooro in 1995 following the death of his father, King Patrick David Matthew Kaboyo Olimi III.
He was only three years old when he ascended the throne, becoming internationally known as one of the world’s youngest reigning monarchs. He later formally took operational control of the kingdom as an adult.
His death ends a reign that lasted nearly 31 years, making him one of the most prominent traditional leaders in Uganda’s modern history.
The kingdom has also moved to reassure the Abatooro that the royal institution will continue.
According to the Prime Minister, King Oyo leaves behind a Prince who will succeed him, although the identity of the heir will be formally revealed at the appropriate time in accordance with Tooro traditions and customs.
Details surrounding the funeral and mourning arrangements are expected to be communicated by the Tooro Kingdom in subsequent statements.
For now, the people of Tooro and Uganda are left mourning a monarch who inherited the throne as a child and grew into one of the country’s most recognisable cultural figures.