Mayiga calls for calm as Tooro mourns King Oyo
The Katikkiro said the delegation had visited King Oyo's Busiga home to express Buganda’s condolences and solidarity with the Tooro royal family and its people following the death of the 34-year-old monarch.
The Prime Minister (Katikkiro) of Buganda, Charles Peter Mayiga signing in the condolence book on Wednesday (September 2, 2026) after visiting the late King’s residence in Buziga. (Credit: Mpalanyi Ssentongo)
______________
The Prime Minister (Katikkiro) of Buganda, Charles Peter Mayiga, has called upon the people of Tooro to remain calm and united as the kingdom mourns the death of its monarch, King Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV.
“The passing of the Omukama shocked us deeply and filled us with profound grief,” Mayiga said, describing King Oyo’s death as particularly painful because of his young age. Oyo died of cancer in the US last Thursday (August 27).
Mayiga made the remarks on Wednesday (September 2, 2026) after visiting the late King’s residence in Buziga. He was accompanied by members of the Kabaka’s government and the Buganda royal family.
The Katikkiro said the delegation had visited King Oyo's Busiga home to express Buganda’s condolences and solidarity with the Tooro royal family and its people following the death of the 34-year-old monarch.
Mayiga said King Oyo had been a youthful monarch with great potential to serve his people, unite them and strengthen relations between Tooro and other kingdoms, particularly Buganda.
“When King Oyo came of age in 2010, we saw a youthful monarch, who was ready to serve his people, unite them, and strengthen the fraternity between Tooro and other kingdoms, especially the Kingdom of Buganda,” the Buganda Premier said.
He said Tooro Prime Minister Calvin Armstrong Rwomiire Akiiki had recently shared with him some of the late King’s aspirations, including efforts to mobilise the youth and encourage them to embrace their cultural heritage while contributing to the development of Tooro kingdom.
“His Majesty wanted to rekindle the love for our heritage while also promoting the development of Tooro,” Mayiga said.
Although King Oyo is no longer physically present, Mayiga noted, his vision and aspirations would continue to inspire the people of Tooro.
“King Oyo is physically gone from us, but we all believe that his hopes and aspirations will remain alive,” he said.
Buganda, Tooro ties
Mayiga also highlighted the longstanding relationship between Buganda and Tooro royal families, saying the two institutions have maintained close ties for nearly 200 years.
He noted that members of the two royal households have historically grown up under the care of one another, strengthening the relationship between the two kingdoms.
“It is little wonder, therefore, that one of the guardians of King Oyo when he was still a minor was His Majesty Kabaka Mutebi II,” he said.
Mayiga expressed confidence that the relationship between Buganda and Tooro would remain strong despite the transition to a new monarch.
“I believe that these bonds of brotherhood will continue to flourish, even under the reign of the new King,” he said.
Mayiga revealed that after informing Kabaka Mutebi II about King Oyo’s death, the Kabaka asked him to appeal to the people of Tooro to remain united and calm.
The Katikkiro said the Kabaka emphasised that the interests of the Kingdom of Tooro should take precedence over individual or group interests during the mourning and transition period.
“When I broke the news of the Omukama’s passing, His Majesty the Kabaka asked me to appeal to the people of Tooro to remain united and calm during this period of grief,” Mayiga said.
Mayiga extended Buganda’s condolences to the Queen Mother, Best Kemigisa, Princess Ruth Komuntale, Princess Elizabeth Bagaya and the wider Tooro royal family, as well as the people of Tooro and Uganda.