The remains of the world’s youngest monarch, King Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV were committed to mother earth on Saturday in Uganda, a ceremony attended by thousands of people to pay final respect.
Penpushing reports that the monarch who ascended the throne at the age of three and reigned over the African country’s Tooro Kingdom for 31 years, died recently at the age of 34 while receiving cancer treatment in the United States of America (USA).
The record has it that Oyo became king in 1995 following the death of his father, King Patrick Matthew Kaboyo Rukidi III, while the Guinness World Records had recognised him as the world’s youngest reigning monarch.
Penpushing further reports that his body was returned to the country ahead of his burial on September 12, 2026, and arrived at Entebbe Airport, where President Yoweri Museveni joined other mourners to pay their respects.
The coffin was flown by military helicopter to Kyegegwa in western Uganda, following a brief ceremony where the Tooro Kingdom is located, before being taken by road to the royal palace in Fort Portal.
Penpushing also reports that the deceased sister Princess Ruth Komuntale, told a burial ceremony at Saint John’s Cathedral in the city of Fort Portal in western Uganda, stated that he(deceased) had a gift to make people laugh, adding that he always knew how to brighten my day
The death of Oyo has sparked a fierce succession dispute, with his mother charging that she and other members of the royal family had been put under effective house arrest, however, a selection committee from the Babiito royal clan announced on Wednesday that Prince Edward Rukidi Kijanangoma, a news anchor for the public broadcaster UBC, had been chosen to succeed his cousin as king
Penpushing reports that, that was opposed by the late king’s sister, Princess Ruth Komuntale, who accused evil vultures of conspiring against her and the Queen Mother, while she produced a will, which she said was drafted by the king in 2022, designating a biological son as heir, without giving his name, however, this came as a surprise to many in the Tooro elite, who had never heard of the son, and did not include his name in the succession vote.
The Uganda’s President Yoweri Museveni shortly after the burial of the king urged unity, and called on the Batoro to use peaceful and lawful means to resolve the issue and to favour unity over division
“Once the matter of the new king of the Batoro is settled, we will be happy to work with him, just as we did with His Highness Oyo. I call on the Batoro to use peaceful and lawful means to resolve this issue and to favour unity over division’, Museveni said
Penpushing further reports that the Babiito royal clan, which traditionally presides over and determines matters relating to royal lineages, succession, and family affairs, defended its choice on Saturday.
The head of the clan, Omusuuga Charles Karumasi, said they have done everything in observance of the culture and traditions of Tooro, emphasizing that they must all preserve peace and serenity
Penpushing also reports that Uganda is a republic but officially recognises four traditional kingdoms, which serve mainly as cultural institutions with limited political power.
FOOTNOTE: You want to share story with us? You want to advertise with us? You need publicity for product, or service, or event? Contact us on WhatsApp +2348073463653 or email penpushing@yahoo.com
