Uganda has received the remains of King Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV, the late Tooro monarch whose death has plunged the kingdom into mourning and raised questions about the future of its royal leadership.
The 34-year-old king died in the United States last week while undergoing treatment for an aggressive form of cancer.
His remains were flown back to Uganda, where President Yoweri Museveni joined other mourners at Entebbe airport to honour the monarch.
King Oyo’s homecoming has begun an official nine-day period of mourning across the Tooro Kingdom.
His funeral is scheduled for next Saturday, which would have coincided with the anniversary of his coronation.
Oyo became king in 1995 after ascending the throne at the age of three.
He was formally crowned when he turned 18 and went on to become a prominent figure in Uganda’s cultural and traditional life.
Guinness World Records recognised him as the world’s youngest reigning monarch.
The king presided over Tooro, a historic kingdom in western Uganda with a population of more than two million people.
He was the 13th ruler of the institution, which traces its origins to the 19th Century.
Following a brief ceremony at Entebbe, the remains were transported by military helicopter to Kyegegwa before being taken by road to the royal residence in Fort Portal.
The body will remain at Karuziika Palace, where citizens will have an opportunity to pay their final respects. Religious services and prayers are expected to take place every evening throughout the mourning period.
Uganda’s parliament also held a special sitting to commemorate the monarch.
Lawmakers described Oyo as a progressive traditional leader who promoted education, healthcare and opportunities for young Ugandans.
Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja hailed him as a unifying figure and highlighted his efforts to educate young people about HIV and Aids.
Opposition figures similarly praised his contribution.
Acting opposition leader Patrick Nsamba Oshabe said Oyo demonstrated that preserving cultural heritage could go hand in hand with national development.
President Museveni has directed that the monarch receive an official state burial. National flags are also expected to be flown at half-mast for three days surrounding the funeral.
While the country prepares to bury King Oyo, an unexpected disagreement has emerged over who will inherit the throne.
The monarch was never officially married, but Tooro Kingdom Prime Minister Calvin Armstrong Rwomiire Akiiki says Oyo had a young son who could potentially become the next ruler.
Akiiki said the child’s identity would be announced at the appropriate time, in keeping with traditional customs.
President Museveni has also said Queen Best Kemigisa, Oyo’s mother, informed him that her son had left behind an heir.
However, Charles Kamurasi, leader of the Babiito royal clan from which Tooro monarchs are selected, said he was unaware of the alleged child.
The revelation has caused unease among members of the royal family, with some questioning why close relatives had apparently not been informed.
One royal clan member told Uganda’s state-owned New Vision newspaper that the declaration concerning the heir should have been handled through the kingdom’s established cultural procedures rather than publicly by the prime minister.
Mr Akiiki has since urged the royal figures to settle their differences away from the public spotlight.
He warned that statements made during a period of mourning could create divisions that would be difficult to overcome.
The Ugandan government has also appealed for calm, particularly over claims circulating online about the succession.
Culture Minister Henry Tumukunde urged the public to rely on announcements issued by the government and Tooro Kingdom.
He said any disagreement would be addressed within the legal framework governing Uganda’s traditional institutions.
He appealed to Ugandans to conduct themselves with dignity, saying the international community was watching how the country handled the death of its king.
King Oyo’s funeral arrangements will include a church service before his remains are taken in a traditional procession to the Karambi Royal Tombs.
The burial is expected to conclude by 14:00 local time.
Under Tooro customs, deceased kings are traditionally not interred after sunset.
Before his illness worsened, Oyo had reportedly hoped to return home in time for this year’s Empango celebrations on 12 September, marking the anniversary of his accession.
According to Prime Minister Akiiki, the king remained optimistic about recovering and had asked officials to keep the severity of his condition private.
“He was confident in his recovery,” Akiiki said.
By: Magdalene Agyeiwaa Sarpong