Tooro Kingdom Outlines Funeral and Succession Protocols Following the Passing of King Oyo

Fort Portal, Uganda — 29 August 2026
The Office of the Musuuga, Head of the Babiito Clan, has issued a detailed statement setting out the traditional protocols that will govern the funeral rites and succession process following the passing of His Majesty Dr. Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV, Omukama of Tooro, who died on the night of 27 August 2026 at the age of 34.

The statement, dated 29 August 2026, follows resolutions reached at a formal Kingdom meeting held at Karuziika Palace on 28 August, chaired by the Musuuga and attended by representatives of Tooro’s clans and members of the Rukurato.



Musuuga to Oversee Cultural Rites
According to the statement, the Office of the Musuuga holds authority and custodianship over all cultural ceremonies arising from the King’s passing. As Head of the Babiito Clan, the Musuuga is responsible for convening and presiding over funeral-related meetings, directing burial preparations, and overseeing the succession protocol from start to finish, with all Kingdom organs acting under that authority.

The King’s body will be transported directly from the airport to Karuziika Palace in Kabarole, in line with the long-standing custom that the body of the King is not moved between locations, since the Kingdom recognises only one official palace as the monarch’s seat.

Nine Days of Mourning
Tooro custom prescribes a nine-day mourning period ahead of burial. This period is deemed to begin from the moment the King’s body arrives at Karuziika Palace, and all cultural activities tied to the mourning period will be organised with reference to that date.

A 21-Member Succession Committee
The Kingdom reaffirmed that succession to the throne is a cultural ritual under the custodianship of the Office of the Musuuga, with the Babiito Clan responsible for succession plans on behalf of the people of Tooro. A 21-member committee, drawn from elders of the clan and led by the Musuuga, has been constituted to carry out the succession protocol. Its mandate covers identifying the successor, formally announcing the successor to stakeholders, and preparing the traditions and ceremonies attached to the succession.

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.

Official Communication and Government Liaison
A separate committee — comprising Fr. Dr. Charles Oyo, Mr. Musinguzi Moses and Omub. Isaac Rwabwoni, working with the Omuhikirwa and other stakeholders has been tasked with handling all official communication from the Palace on matters connected to the funeral and succession. The public and media have been urged to rely only on updates issued through this channel.

Hon. Tom Butime has been named the official contact person for liaison between the Kingdom and the Government of the Republic of Uganda on matters requiring coordination between the two.

Condolence Contributions
All condolence funds and financial contributions toward the official funeral and succession arrangements are to be channelled exclusively through the Tooro Kingdom Palace account at Stanbic Bank, Fort Portal Branch. The account’s signatories are Dr. Richard Rwabuhinga, Hon. Harriet Nyakake and Musuuga Charles Kamurasi. The public has been urged to use only this official account, in the interest of accountability and transparency.

Call for Unity
In its resolution, the Office of the Musuuga appealed to all Abatooro, members of the Babiito Clan, cultural and religious leaders, government authorities, institutions and well-wishers to remain united and to uphold dignity, respect and discipline throughout the mourning period, and to allow the named cultural authorities to coordinate the rites without interference.

Further details on the cultural programme, the Kutaabaza burial ritual, the nine days of mourning and related activities will be communicated through the Palace’s official channels in due course.
“May the people of Tooro remain united during this solemn period.” — Office of the Musuuga