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Nnaabagereka joins Tooro in mourning King Oyo
The Nnaabagereka arrived at Karuziika Palace shortly after 1pm to pay her respects to the late Omukama Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV.
Nnaabagereka joins Tooro in mourning King Oyo
By: Jonan Tusingwire, Journalist @New Vision
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The arrival of Nnaabagereka, Sylvia Nagginda of the Buganda Kingdom, at Karuziika Palace on Thursday drew admiration from mourners.
Many mourners even left their seats to get a better view of the royal visitor, who had come to pay her respects to the late Omukama Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV.
The Nnaabagereka arrived at Karuziika Palace shortly after 1pm to pay her respects to the late Omukama Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV.
She was welcomed by the Tooro Kingdom Minister of Tourism, Joan Kantu Else Adyeeri, before signing the condolence book and being led into the palace, where the body of the late king was lying in state.
Nabagereka spent about five hours inside the palace and later joined mourners for prayers that began shortly after 6pm.
The prayers were part of the daily religious services held at the palace during the mourning period.
Nabagereka joined Princess Bagaya, who has consistently attended the prayers since the body of her nephew, King Oyo, was returned to Tooro Kingdom.
Upon seeing the Buganda queen take a seat next to hers, Bagaya stood up to pay her royal courtesy.
Nnaabagereka Sylvia Nagginda of the Buganda Kingdom and Princess Elizabeth Bagaya attend prayers at Karuziika Palace. (Photo by Jonan Tusingwire)
Even when the cold air swept through the palace around 7 PM, neither Nabagereka nor Bagaya left the worship session. The two prominent women were occasionally seen talking to one another as they sat on the raised terrace of the palace.
The prayers concluded shortly before 8pm, after which the two women were observed retreating back into the palace.
For many mourners, her presence was more than a royal courtesy. They described it as a sign of solidarity between the two kingdoms during a period of mourning.
“When I saw the Nabagereka arrive, I felt proud. It showed that although we have lost our king, we are not alone. The people of Buganda are standing with us,” said Elizabeth Arinda, a mourner from Fort Portal.
Another mourner, Robert Kato, said the visit demonstrated the respect King Oyo commanded beyond Tooro.
“It was a beautiful moment. People were excited to see her, but it was also emotional because she had come to mourn our king. It reminded us that Oyo was not only a king for Tooro, but a leader respected across Uganda,” he said.
Sarah Atuhaire, who had travelled to Karuzika to pay her respects, said she was impressed by the queen’s humility.
“She came quietly, signed the condolence book and went inside to pay her respects. Seeing her among us made me feel that our culture and traditions are respected by other kingdoms,” she said.
For many mourners, her presence was more than a royal courtesy. They described it as a sign of solidarity between the two kingdoms during a period of mourning.
“When I saw the Nabagereka arrive, I felt proud. It showed that although we have lost our king, we are not alone. The people of Buganda are standing with us,” said Elizabeth Arinda, a mourner from Fort Portal.
Another mourner, Robert Kato, said the visit demonstrated the respect King Oyo commanded beyond Tooro.
“It was a beautiful moment. People were excited to see her, but it was also emotional because she had come to mourn our king. It reminded us that Oyo was not only a king for Tooro, but a leader respected across Uganda,” he said.
Sarah Atuhaire, who had travelled to Karuzika to pay her respects, said she was impressed by the queen’s humility.
“She came quietly, signed the condolence book and went inside to pay her respects. Seeing her among us made me feel that our culture and traditions are respected by other kingdoms,” she said.