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King Oyo led fight against HIV
The passing of His Majesty King Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV has robbed Uganda of an influential and committed leader. As we mourn the late Omukama of Tooro, we also celebrate his contribution to Uganda’s efforts to end AIDS as a public health threat by 2030.
Nelson Musoba. (File)
By: Admin ., Journalist @New Vision
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OPINION
Dr Nelson Musoba
The passing of His Majesty King Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV has robbed Uganda of an influential and committed leader. As we mourn the late Omukama of Tooro, we also celebrate his contribution to Uganda’s efforts to end AIDS as a public health threat by 2030.
King Oyo understood the power of cultural leaders to influence attitudes and behaviour. He used the authority of the throne to preserve Tooro’s culture while addressing the health and development challenges affecting his people.
He was an active member of the National HIV and AIDS Partnership coordinated by the Uganda AIDS Commission under the Office of the President. He worked with the Government, development partners, civil society, cultural and religious leaders, young people and communities affected by HIV.
His commitment was recognised beyond Uganda. In 2016, he was designated by UNAIDS as a champion for ending HIV and AIDS among young people in eastern and southern Africa, a platform he used to promote responsibility among young people, men and families.
He mainstreamed HIV awareness into Tooro kingdom activities, including cultural gatherings, royal functions, community mobilisation and sports. The Tooro Masaza Cup became more than a football competition. It reached thousands of young people and families with information about HIV prevention, testing and treatment, taking HIV communication beyond health facilities and formal conferences.
King Oyo promoted the elimination of mother-to-child transmission of HIV and envisioned a Tooro where no child was born with HIV. The king was particularly passionate about young people and spoke to them with a voice they could recognise. He supported the ABC (abstinence, faithfulness and correct and consistent condom use) approach alongside testing, treatment and responsible decision-making.
His commitment was recognised beyond Uganda. In 2016, he was designated by UNAIDS as a champion for ending HIV and AIDS among young people in eastern and southern Africa, a platform he used to promote responsibility among young people, men and families.
He mainstreamed HIV awareness into Tooro kingdom activities, including cultural gatherings, royal functions, community mobilisation and sports. The Tooro Masaza Cup became more than a football competition. It reached thousands of young people and families with information about HIV prevention, testing and treatment, taking HIV communication beyond health facilities and formal conferences.
King Oyo promoted the elimination of mother-to-child transmission of HIV and envisioned a Tooro where no child was born with HIV. The king was particularly passionate about young people and spoke to them with a voice they could recognise. He supported the ABC (abstinence, faithfulness and correct and consistent condom use) approach alongside testing, treatment and responsible decision-making.
The available statistics demonstrate why this leadership mattered. Viewed across the five calendar years from December 2022 to August this year, the district-level estimates show gradual reductions in HIV prevalence in several parts of the wider Tooro sub-region. Bunyangabu district declined from 8.3% to 7.3%; Kamwenge from 4.8% to 4.3%; Kyegegwa from 3.7% to 3.4%; and Bundibugyo from 2.0% to 1.9%. This longer view suggests steady progress in these districts rather than a sudden change within a single year, although the figures should be treated as indicative because the August 2026 report date does not necessarily represent the precise reference date for every estimate.
Estimated new infections also declined in the districts of Bundibugyo, Kamwenge, Kasese, Kitagwenda and Kyegegwa. These improvements cannot be attributed to one individual or intervention alone. They reflect the combined work of the Government, health workers, communities, partners and people living with HIV. Nevertheless, King Oyo’s sustained advocacy helped create an enabling environment in which testing, prevention and treatment messages could reach more people.
The statistics also remind us that the king’s mission remains unfinished. Looking at this year’s estimates across the region, estimated annual new infections stagnated at approximately 2,310 infections. Fort Portal city’s prevalence rose from 14.3% to 16.7%, making it the country’s most serious prevalence hotspot. Kabarole increased from 9.4% to 10.7%, while Kyenjojo continues to record the largest number of new infections in the sub-region.
These figures should not diminish the king’s contribution. Instead, they underline the importance of continuing the work he championed. They show that while progress is possible, it can easily be reversed if awareness, prevention, testing, treatment and community mobilisation are weakened.
The greatest tribute we can pay King Oyo is to carry his vision forward. Tooro kingdom, local governments, the Uganda AIDS Commission, health institutions, schools, sports organisations, cultural leaders and young people should strengthen the initiatives he started. King Oyo will be remembered not merely as a monarch who ascended the throne at a very young age, but as a leader who used his influence to protect life.
The writer is the director general of Uganda AIDS Commission
Estimated new infections also declined in the districts of Bundibugyo, Kamwenge, Kasese, Kitagwenda and Kyegegwa. These improvements cannot be attributed to one individual or intervention alone. They reflect the combined work of the Government, health workers, communities, partners and people living with HIV. Nevertheless, King Oyo’s sustained advocacy helped create an enabling environment in which testing, prevention and treatment messages could reach more people.
The statistics also remind us that the king’s mission remains unfinished. Looking at this year’s estimates across the region, estimated annual new infections stagnated at approximately 2,310 infections. Fort Portal city’s prevalence rose from 14.3% to 16.7%, making it the country’s most serious prevalence hotspot. Kabarole increased from 9.4% to 10.7%, while Kyenjojo continues to record the largest number of new infections in the sub-region.
These figures should not diminish the king’s contribution. Instead, they underline the importance of continuing the work he championed. They show that while progress is possible, it can easily be reversed if awareness, prevention, testing, treatment and community mobilisation are weakened.
The greatest tribute we can pay King Oyo is to carry his vision forward. Tooro kingdom, local governments, the Uganda AIDS Commission, health institutions, schools, sports organisations, cultural leaders and young people should strengthen the initiatives he started. King Oyo will be remembered not merely as a monarch who ascended the throne at a very young age, but as a leader who used his influence to protect life.
The writer is the director general of Uganda AIDS Commission