Toro Kingdom remembers Omukama Kaboyo 25th death anniversary

Aug 26, 2020

CULTURE | MONARCY |

Twenty-Five years ago, on this day, the Kingdom of Toro was engulfed with shocking news of the death of Omukama Patrick David Mathew Kaboyo Rwamuhokya Olimi III.

Omukama Kaboyo Olimi III, who is the father to the reigning Omukama of Toro, Dr George Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukiidi IV died on August 26, 1995.

Kaboyo was just two years into his 'second' reign after the restoration of Kingdoms by the NRM government.

Kaboyo had been crowned king in 1965 but lost the throne two years later when the kingdoms were abolished in 1967. In total, Kaboyo was king of Toro for only four years.

Prince Gilbert Atwooki Mujogya, the elder brother to Kaboyo remembers the day, and describes it a great shock.

"It was a shocking moment for the whole Kingdom. He died at a time when we needed him most; he was young and would have loved to see him live longer," Mujogya says.

Kaboyo died aged 50 years and a lot was expected of him as the Kingdom was rebuilding from the ruins caused by the Obote regime.

"If he had lived longer, Toro would be different because he was a unifying factor, and had maturity to lead Toro to greater heights. His death negatively affected the progress of the kingdom a lot," Mujogya says

Mujogya describes his late brother as a very loving brother, dependable, and someone who was always fair to his siblings.

"He loved Toro and was always looking forward to seeing it develop. He was a down to earth royal who loved his people. I think Toro would be in much better position than it is now," Mujogya says.

In line with the COVID-19 guidelines of social distancing and avoiding crowds, the Mujogya says the family, will hold a small private ceremony to remember their late brother.

In Toro tradition, the King is neither allowed to attend burial of their beloved ones nor celebrate death anniversaries.

"The king will not celebrate his father's death anniversary. Tradition does not allow," says Bernad Tungakwo, the Omuhikirwa of Toro Kingdom.

Rukirabasaija Patrick David Matthew Kaboyo Rwamuhokya Olimi III (9 September 1945 - 26 August 1995) was the 12th Omukama of the Kingdom of Toro and reigned from 1965 until his death in 1995.

Who was Patrick Olimi Kaboyo?

Patrick David Matthew Rwamuhokya Olimi III Kaboyo II was born on September 9, 1945, to the king of Toro, Sir George David Matthew Kamurasi Rukidi III. His mother was Lady Byanjeru Kezia Bonabaana.

He was the fourth son and had five brothers and four sisters, of whom Princess Elizabeth Bagaya was the eldest. He went to school at Budo, Nyakasura School in Fort Portal, Sherborne School, Dorset, and Makerere University, Kampala.

Kaboyo ascended to the throne upon the death of his father, on December 21, 1965, becoming the 12th Omukama of Toro.

He reigned briefly before monarchies were abolished on September 22, 1967. After a period of exile in Kenya, he came back and served as a minister-counselor at Uganda Embassy in Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania, between 1987 and 1990.

In 1987, he married Best Kemigisa, daughter of Prince Mujungu, of the Batuku clan, of Rwebisengo, in present day Ntoroko district. He was Uganda's Ambassador to Cuba, from 1990 to 1993.

In 1993, he returned to take up his throne after the Government restored monarchies and traditional rulers. He died on August 26, 1995, at the age of 50, leaving the throne to his three-year-old son, Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV.

His two daughters are Princess Ruth Nsemere Komuntale and Princess Celia Komukyeya, who died in 1997 at the age of four.

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