Toro mourns death of King Oyo at age of 34
"The continuity of the Crown is assured. His Majesty leaves behind a Prince as his heir, whose identity will be formally revealed at the appropriate time," reads a statement from the office of the kingdom's prime minister.
Toro mourns death of King Oyo at age of 34
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ROYAL DEATH
The Toro King, Omukama Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV, has died at the age of 34, his family and the kingdom said on Thursday (August 27).
"It is with profound sadness and a heavy heart that I announce the passing of His Majesty the Omukama of Toro, King Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV, at approximately 10:00 pm this evening," read a statement from the office of the kingdom's prime minister.
"This is an immeasurable loss to the Royal Family, the people of Toro and the nation of Uganda. I call upon the people of Toro to remain united, calm and prayerful during this difficult time.
"The continuity of the Crown is assured. His Majesty leaves behind a Prince as his heir, whose identity will be formally revealed at the appropriate time, in accordance with the traditions and customs of Toro Kingdom.
"An official statement will follow with further details, including the funeral and mourning arrangements."
The family also released a statement announcing the death of the king.
"It is a very sad departure to us as a family. I wish to extend our family heartfelt condolences to the Queen Mother and the entire Royal family of Toro, the Anglican and wider Church and its leadership in Toro and Uganda, the people of the greater Toro, friends and especially our in-laws," said Maxwell Chrysolite Kamanyire, the head of the Kamanyire family.
"May the soul of my King, our King and the King of Toro Rest in Eternal Peace."
Sources close to the kingdom revealed that the youthful monarch was admitted over cancer in a US hospital a few weeks ago.
On August 3 this year, the kingdom in a statement said Oyo had gone abroad "for official engagements and to further his studies".
The statement followed reports that circulated claiming that the king had been admitted over cancer.
Born on April 16, 1992, Oyo was the son of Omukama Patrick David Matthew Kaboyo Olimi III and Omugo Best Kemigisa.
In 1995, at the age of three, he ascended to the throne, becoming the 13th ruler of Toro Kingdom. It means he spent 31 years on the throne.
The death of Oyo comes hardly a week after the death of his cousin, Beth Abwooli, who also died of cancer.
Attempted overthrow
In early March 2015, David Kijanangoma, a grandson of King George Rukidi III, announced that he had overthrown Oyo.
Kijanangoma said he had decided on this coup because his cousin, Oyo, has abdicated his duties as king. He argued that the monarch was always an absentee king who lived in Buganda Kingdom and only went to Toro as a visitor.
Kijanangoma said that when a king fails to perform his duties, his brothers are entitled to challenge him for the throne.
He said this had happened when Toro’s second king, Kazana Ruhaga, spent most of his time in bed and failed to attend to his duties, which prompted his brother Nyaika to depose him.