King Oyo leaves behind a green legacy - BoU deputy governor
Nuwagaba described the late King of Tooro as a climate and environmental activist whose influence went beyond the boundaries of his kingdom.
Prof. Augustus Nuwagaba (right), Deputy Governor of the Bank of Uganda (BoU), during his visit on Wednesday, September 2, 2026, eulogising King Oyo at Buziga in Kampala. (Credit: Mpalanyi Ssentongo)
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When King Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV climbed Rwenzori Mountain in 2022, he was not simply conquering one of Uganda’s most iconic landscapes. He was drawing attention to the urgent need to protect the environment and preserve the country’s natural heritage for generations to come, Prof. Augustus Nuwagaba, Deputy Governor of the Bank of Uganda (BOU), has said.
According to Nuwagaba, the journey captured the spirit of a young monarch, who devoted much of his reign to environmental conservation, climate action and youth empowerment.
Nuwagaba was today (September 2, 2026) eulogising King Oyo at Buziga in Kampala as the central bank joined the rest of the country in mourning the king's passing. Oyo died of cancer in the US last Thursday (August 27).
Nuwagaba described the late King of Tooro as a climate and environmental activist whose influence went beyond the boundaries of his kingdom.
“King Oyo was at the forefront of ensuring that we have sustainability of our natural resources, particularly through planting trees,” Nuwagaba said.
He said the king championed tree-planting campaigns, promoted green energy and mobilised communities to protect forests and other natural resources.
He noted that children, women, youth, men, government officials and civil society actors all joined the initiative, reflecting the king’s ability to bring people together around environmental conservation.
“He was able to mobilise so many people around the message of sustainability,” noted Nuwagaba.
Uganda, he observed, is blessed with abundant natural resources, but these resources face increasing pressure from human activity. He stated that King Oyo understood that development without environmental protection would compromise the future of the country.
Born in 1992, King Oyo was crowned the King of Tooro in 1995 at the age of three. His image as a young king playing with toys during his early years on the throne remains one of the most memorable pictures in Uganda’s modern history.
Nuwagaba said that over the years, Ugandans watched the child monarch grow into a young leader, who increasingly used his platform to address national issues.
“If you look at the dash between 1992 and 2026, what is important is the content of that dash,” he said.
He said King Oyo filled that dash with service, particularly through his advocacy for the environment and rallying young people to fight poverty through hard work.
King Oyo's environmental campaigns, Nuwagaba said, reflected that same vision of preparing Uganda for the future.
Nuwagaba also praised cultural institutions for complementing government efforts in areas such as environmental conservation, child immunisation, livelihoods, poverty reduction, and economic empowerment.
“We are with the people of Tooro, and we are standing with you in this very difficult time,” Nuwagaba said, conveying condolences to President Yoweri Museveni, Tooro kingdom and the people of Uganda.
He reflected on the historic relationship between Tooro and Kigezi, noting that migration and economic opportunities, including work around the Kilembe copper mines, helped create lasting social and family ties between the two communities.
Nuwagaba said those ties demonstrate why Ugandans should embrace diversity rather than allow tribal identities to divide them.