Breaking: King Oyo’s body arrives at entebbe as uganda begins final farewell

NATIONAL

By Ambrose Nsongoma reporter

Entebbe, Uganda | The aircraft carrying the remains of the late omukama of tooro, oyo nyimba kabamba iguru rukidi iv, has landed at entebbe international airport, marking the beginning of the final journey home for the young monarch.

the arrival comes as the tooro kingdom and the government of uganda begin a series of official, cultural and religious ceremonies leading to the king’s burial on september 12, 2026.

president yoweri kaguta museveni was at the airport to receive the remains and pay his final respects to the late king.

the casket was received through a ceremonial procession, with security personnel and kingdom officials participating in the formal reception.

following the airport ceremony, the king’s remains are expected to continue the journey towards tooro, where thousands of mourners are preparing to pay their final respects.

king oyo died at the age of 34, bringing to an end a 31-year reign that began when he ascended the tooro throne in 1995 at just three years old.

his death has triggered widespread mourning across tooro and beyond, with government, cultural institutions, religious leaders and members of the public joining the royal family in paying tribute to the late monarch.

president museveni has directed that king oyo be accorded an official burial, while a period of national mourning has been observed in his honour.

the funeral programme will include cultural, religious and official ceremonies before the king is laid to rest at karuziika palace.

the return of his remains to uganda now ushers in the final chapter of a reign that made king oyo one of the most recognised traditional rulers in africa.

for the people of tooro, the arrival of the casket at entebbe marks the beginning of an emotional final journey as the kingdom prepares to bid farewell to a monarch who ascended the throne as a child and grew into one of uganda’s most prominent cultural leaders.