King Oyo became Tooro’s monarch on 12 September 1995, following the death of his father, Rukirabasaija Patrick David Matthew Kaboyo Olimi III.
By Kehinde Okeowo
King Oyo Nyimba, a Ugandan monarch of the pre-colonial Kingdom of Tooro, has passed away at the age of 34.
The death of the king, who gained international recognition after ascending the throne at just three years old, was announced recently on X by the Prime Minister of Tooro, Calvin Armstrong Rwomiire Akiiki.
According to Akiiki, the record-breaking traditional ruler breathed his last at about 10:00 pm local time on Thursday.
No official cause of death had been disclosed at the time of the announcement.
Akiiki wrote: “It is with profound sadness and a heavy heart that I announce the passing of His Majesty the Omukama of Tooro, King Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV.”
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He further described the monarch’s death as “an immeasurable loss” but said the kingdom’s succession remained secure, noting that the late king had left an heir.
Prior to the confirmation of his demise, Ugandan government minister Balaam Barugahara had disclosed that Oyo was receiving medical treatment in the United States.
Mourning the late king, Uganda’s prominent opposition figure and musician, Bobi Wine, wrote on X: “Most devastating news! May His Majesty the King’s soul rest in eternal peace.”
King Oyo became the ruler of Tooro on 12 September 1995, following the death of his father, Rukirabasaija Patrick David Matthew Kaboyo Olimi III.
His accession to the throne at three years old made him the world’s youngest reigning monarch at the time and brought international attention to the Tooro Kingdom, located in western Uganda near the border with the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
