Princess Komuntale reveals why Oyo’s cancer was kept secret
“He (King Oyo) had spent more than a year seeking medical evaluations while he was here in Uganda for the different pains he was experiencing. Sadly, he was not receiving the correct diagnosis. Sadly, he was not receiving the correct diagnosis. He was told his pain was likely related to strenuous exercises or ulcers and was advised to undergo physical therapy,” Komuntale said in an emotional account.
Speaking during the send-off ceremony for her brother at St. John’s Cathedral in Kabarole on Saturday, September 12, Komuntale said Oyo was diagnosed with angiosarcoma, a rare and aggressive form of cancer. (Credit: Richard Sanya)
FORT PORTAL - The late Omukama of Tooro, Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV, who passed away in the United States of America on August 27, 202, began his battle with cancer in mid-October 2025.
This followed more than a year of seeking medical attention for unexplained pain, his sister Princess Royal Ruth Komuntale has said.
Speaking during the send-off ceremony for her brother at St. John’s Cathedral in Kabarole on Saturday, September 12, Komuntale said Oyo was diagnosed with angiosarcoma, a rare and aggressive form of cancer.
Angiosarcoma is a rare, aggressive type of cancer that starts in the inner lining of blood vessels or lymph vessels.
The exact cause of most angiosarcomas is unknown, but the disease begins when DNA mutations inside the cells lining blood or lymph vessels tell them to grow and multiply uncontrollably.
“My brother’s cancer journey began in mid-October of 2025, when he was diagnosed with angiosarcoma, a very rare and aggressive form of cancer that can spread very rapidly,” Komuntale said.
Addressing thousands after the funeral service, she revealed that before the late King went for his diagnosis, he had spent more than a year undergoing medical evaluations in Uganda because of various pains he was experiencing, but doctors had been unable to identify the underlying cause.
Komuntale also defended the kingdom’s Prime Minister, Armstrong Calvin Rwomiire Akiiki, over his communication in response to speculation over King Oyo’s state of health back in August. (All Photos by Richard Sanya)
Komuntale said the family kept Oyo's illness private after he (Oyo) asked them not to disclose his condition, as he believed he would recover and did not want to cause panic within the royal family or the wider kingdom.
“He had spent more than a year seeking medical evaluations while he was here in Uganda for the different pains he was experiencing. Sadly, he was not receiving the correct diagnosis. Sadly, he was not receiving the correct diagnosis. He was told his pain was likely related to strenuous exercises or ulcers and was advised to undergo physical therapy,” Komuntale said in an emotional account.
“By the time my brother underwent advanced medical examinations and received the correct diagnosis, the cancer had already spread significantly and was affecting multiple organs,” Komuntale added.
She said the family kept his illness private after Oyo asked them not to disclose his condition, as he believed he would recover and did not want to cause panic within the royal family or the wider kingdom.
After my brother began receiving the correct treatment, the cancer cells started shrinking dramatically. He regained energy, and those improvements gave us all hope that he was going to get better,” she said.
However, Komuntale said Oyo’s condition deteriorated in mid-July 2026 after the cancer had remained in his body for too long.
“Sadly, in mid-July of this year, things took a terrible turn. The cancer had been in his body just too long. And despite everything that was done, his condition became increasingly difficult,” she said.
Despite his worsening condition, Komuntale said Oyo remained deeply committed to his faith, continuing to pray and read the Bible.
“But even with everything my brother was going through, his faith remained intact. He never stopped praying and reading the Word of God,” she said.
Princess Komuntale thanked her mother, Best Kemigisa, for standing by their side all the way after the death of their father, Omukama Patrick David Matthew Kaboyo Olimi III, who died on August 26, 1995.
Princess Royal also defended Tooro Kingdom Prime Minister Calvin Armstrong Rwomiire against attacks that he lied about the king's health.
“I am aware that the Prime Minister received criticism from some members of the public who believed that he knew what was happening with my brother's health. I want to make it clear that he was among the many people who did not know about my brother's illness,” Komuntale said.
“Again, because we were cautioned by my brother to keep it very private. Because it was his health, it is his body; we had to respect it. So please do stop all the criticism of our dear Prime Minister because he was also among those who were not in the know. He only learnt about it towards the end,” she said.
The royals during the send-off ceremony at St. John’s Cathedral in Kabarole on Saturday, September 12.
Komuntale said despite his duties as King, Oyo never completely lost the young boy in him who loved fun. “He loved good workouts. I will miss him. He was my workout partner,” she said.
She said her late brother was an avid farmer who loved cows and animals and spent time writing his journal and breaking down scriptures. He said King Oyo was always researching, and he loved learning.”
Komuntale also urged Ugandans to take their health seriously, encouraging people to undergo regular medical check-ups and seek additional medical opinions whenever something does not feel right.
Princess Komuntale thanked her mother, Best Kemigisa, for standing by their side all the way after the death of their father, Omukama Patrick David Matthew Kaboyo Olimi III, who died on August 26, 1995.
Thank You, Mummy
Princess Komuntale thanked her mother, Best Kemigisa, for standing by their side all the way after the death of their father, Omukama Patrick David Matthew Kaboyo Olimi III, who died on August 26, 1995.
“When we lost our father, she became both mother and father. Most importantly, she gave us something that has carried us throughout our lives: our relationship with the Almighty God.
Maama, you nurtured us in love, and that love taught us to love others. Thank you so much for everything you have done and for everything you sacrificed for us,” Komuntale stated.
Komuntale also defended the kingdom’s Prime Minister, Armstrong Calvin Rwomiire Akiiki, over his communication in response to speculation over King Oyo’s state of health back in August.
Komuntale thanked President Yoweri Museveni for his “unwavering support toward our family from the time we were little children throughout our adulthood. Mzee, from the bottom of my heart, thank you for your love, your kindness and support towards our family. I will forever appreciate Mzee.”
President Museveni's support
Komuntale thanked President Yoweri Museveni for his “unwavering support toward our family from the time we were little children throughout our adulthood. Mzee, from the bottom of my heart, thank you for your love, your kindness and support towards our family. I will forever appreciate Mzee.”
She also thanked all the other people for “every phone call, every act of kindness and every expression of love. Your support has carried us through most moments when we did not know how we were going to make it through the next day.”
She appealed to members of the public to take care of their health.
“Please take care of yourselves, receive your medical check-ups regularly, and if something does not feel right with your body, do not ignore it, please. Seek proper medical attention, ask questions, follow up, and if necessary, seek another medical opinion. Our health is a gift, and we must do everything we can to protect it,” she said.
Oyo died on August 27, 2026, aged 34, after battling cancer. He will be buried today.