Toro's King turns 20 as Princess's wedding set

By Hope Mafaranga and Raymond Baguma

The King of Toro, Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru has turned 20 today and his birthday will be privately celebrated in the UK, the kingdom’s information minister, Arthur Namara says.

Oyo ascended to the throne when he was only three years old after the death of his father, Patrick Olimi Kaboyo.

However, as has always been the case, Oyo is not celebrating his 20th birthday with his subjects because he is away studying.

Namara said the king is busy with studies at Manchester University in the UK and the queen mother, Best Kemigisa, flew out recently to prepare a private party for him.

He, however, said it will be a closed party. King Oyo’s sister, Ruth Komuntale, will be among the people in attendance. Namara said the king’s subjects in Toro will only congratulate him in October when he comes back to celebrate Empango. 

“We cannot combine the two functions of Empango and his birthday, but we shall congratulate him upon making 20 years,” Namara added.

Oyo was born on 16 April 1992 to King Patrick David Mathew Kaboyo Olimi III and Queen Best Kemigisa Kaboyo and he is the 12th ruler of the 180-year old Kingdom of Toro.

Meanwhile, preparations for the wedding of Toro’s Princess, Ruth Komuntale, to her American fiancé, Thomas Christopher, have kicked off. The wedding is set for July 14 at St. John’s Cathedral in Fort Portal.

President Yoweri Museveni is one of the high-ranking guests expected to attend, alongside friends of the kingdom and cultural leaders.

Linda Makulima, a member of the organising committee, said the wedding will be preceded by a traditional introduction ceremony on July 12, at the home of Charles Kamurasi, the princess’ paternal uncle and head of the ruling Babiito clan. 

According to the Toro culture, King Oyo Nyimba will not attend the traditional introduction ceremony of his elder sister. Komuntale, 23, is presently in the US and will graduate next month from the American University with a Bachelor of Arts degree. Her fiancé Christopher is a student at the same university. 

As part of the wedding activities, a charity has been set up for Princess Komuntale to raise funds to support women, orphans, children and the elderly, as well as renovating the old palaces in Toro kingdom.

According to Derek Karamagi, a kingdom official, an account has been opened in Bank of Africa, Jinja Road branch, account number 01236530007, with the title “Princess Fund.” 

The kingdom aims to raise sh2b and has appealed for contributions from the public.