The Tooro Kingdom has announced a nine-day official mourning period following the death of His Majesty King Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV, as preparations for his funeral and succession to the throne get underway.

In a statement issued on Saturday, August 29, 2026, the Office of the Musuuga, Head of the Babito Clan, said the funeral rites and succession process will be conducted in accordance with the traditions and customs of the Kingdom.

The Kingdom said the mourning period will begin upon the arrival of King Oyo’s body at Karuziika Palace in Kabarole, which has been designated as the sole place where the body will lie during the mourning period.

According to the statement, the body will be transported directly from the airport to Karuziika Palace, in line with the established custom that the body of a deceased King should not be moved between different locations.

21-member committee to oversee succession

The Kingdom has also constituted a 21-member committee of Babito elders to oversee the succession process.

The committee, operating under the leadership of the Musuuga, has been tasked with identifying the successor to the throne, formally announcing the successor to relevant stakeholders and preparing the traditional and cultural ceremonies associated with the succession.

The Kingdom said the succession process is a cultural ritual under the authority and custodianship of the Office of the Musuuga, with the Babito Clan responsible for succession plans and protocols.

The committee includes Musuuga Charles Kamurasi, Msgr. Dr. Isaac Mayombo, Fr. Dr. Charles Oyo, Omub. Dr. Kagoro Kaijamurubi, Omub. Job Karamagi, Omub. Gilbert Mujogya, Omub. Mbogo Rukidi, Omub. Isaac RwabwonI, Omub. Justice Mugamba Paul, Omub. David Mugamba, Hon. Harriet Nyakake, Hon. Muganzi Patrick, Omub. Kawamara Patrick, Omub. Sam Rukidi, Omub. Kato Rwakatale, Omub. Olimi Hassan, Omub. Rose Mpuro, Omub. Martha Mugamba, Omub. Martha Rabwoni and Omub. Ruth Ogeni.

Palace establishes official communication channel

The Kingdom has further established a dedicated committee to handle all official communication concerning the King's death, funeral rites and succession.

The committee comprises Fr. Dr. Charles Oyo, Mr. Musinguzi Moses and Omub. Isaac Rwaboni, working in coordination with the Omuhikirwa and other stakeholders.

The Kingdom urged the public and media to rely only on statements issued through the designated communication channel.

For coordination between the Kingdom and the Government of Uganda, Hon. Tom Butime has been designated as the official contact person.

The announcement comes after President Yoweri Museveni directed that King Oyo be accorded an official burial and ordered Uganda's flags to fly at half-mast for three days—the day before the burial, the burial day and the day after.

King Oyo, who ascended the Tooro throne as a child in 1995, died at the age of 34 after battling an aggressive form of cancer. President Museveni has also revealed that the late monarch left behind a young son who is expected to be identified as heir at an appropriate time.