The body of the late Tooro King, Omukama Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru IV, will return to Uganda on Thursday as the kingdom prepares to bid farewell to one of its most recognised cultural leaders.
The government has confirmed that the remains of the monarch will arrive from Nairobi, marking the start of official funeral activities across Tooro Kingdom.
Yunus Kakande, deputy chairperson of the King Oyo funeral committee, said the body is expected to arrive at around 10am, although the schedule may change depending on circumstances.
President Yoweri Museveni is expected to receive the body and pay tribute before it is handed over to the royal family and the people of Tooro.
After the official reception, the remains will be flown by helicopter to Kyegegwa, the traditional entry point into Tooro Kingdom, where a special procession will begin.
Thousands of mourners are expected to line the route as the body is transported through different areas towards Fort Portal, giving subjects a chance to honour their fallen King.
Upon arrival in Fort Portal, the body will be taken to Karuzika Palace, where nine days of mourning activities will be held.
The palace will become the centre of remembrance as cultural leaders, government officials and Tooro subjects gather to celebrate King Oyo’s life and legacy.
After the mourning period, the late monarch will be laid to rest at the ancestral burial grounds of the Tooro royal family.
King Oyo died in the United States at the age of 34, ending a reign that began in 1995 when he was only three years old following the death of his father, Omukama Patrick Matthew Kaboyo Olimi III.
His death has plunged Tooro Kingdom into deep mourning while also raising questions about the future of the throne.
The return of King Oyo’s body marks a historic chapter for Tooro as thousands prepare to honour a monarch who led the kingdom for more than three decades.
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