King Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Irugu Rukidi IV sits on the throne at his palace in Fort Portal, 270 km (168 miles) southwest of Kampala April 17, 2010. King Oyo, 18, the youngest king in the world, ascended the throne aged three, after his father, the late King Patrick Kaboyo died in 1995. REUTERS/James Akena
New details have emerged about the death of Tooro King Omukama Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV, with reports indicating that the 34-year-old monarch had been receiving treatment for cancer in the United States.
The Tooro Kingdom confirmed that King Oyo died at around 10:00pm East African Time on August 27, 2026, bringing an end to a historic reign that lasted more than three decades.
The confirmation came after hours of uncertainty, following social media reports about the King’s death. Kingdom officials initially said the monarch was critically ill before later announcing his passing.
King Oyo became Omukama of Tooro in 1995 at just three years old after the death of his father, Omukama Patrick Olimi Kaboyo II. His unusually young accession attracted international attention, and he eventually grew into one of Uganda’s most prominent cultural leaders.
During his reign, King Oyo championed Tooro’s cultural heritage while supporting initiatives in education, youth empowerment, tourism and environmental conservation.
His death has marked the end of an important era for the Tooro Kingdom. However, kingdom officials have assured the public that the royal institution will continue, revealing that the late monarch left behind an heir.
The identity of the heir will be officially announced at the appropriate time in accordance with Tooro traditions and customs.
As Tooro mourns the death of its longtime monarch, attention is now turning to his funeral arrangements, the succession process and the future of the Babiito royal line.
