Tooro Kingdom has released the official burial programme for the late Omukama Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV, with the monarch scheduled to be laid to rest on Saturday, 12 September 2026, at the Karambi Royal Tombs.

The programme places strong emphasis on traditional and religious rites while limiting formal tributes. Only four official speeches will be delivered during the burial ceremony. The speakers are Queen Mother Best Kemigisa, the late King’s sister Princess Ruth Nsemere Komuntale, the head of the Babiito royal clan Omusuuga Charles Akiiki Kamurasi, and President Yoweri Museveni or his representative.

The main send-off service will be held at St John’s Cathedral in Fort Portal. It will be led by the Archbishop of the Church of Uganda, His Grace Stephen Kazimba Mugalu, assisted by the Bishop of Ruwenzori Diocese, Rt Rev Reuben Kisembo, and other religious leaders.

According to the organising committee, viewing of the body at Karuziika Palace will end on Friday at 5:00 pm. All delegations of mourners are expected to deliver their tributes on Friday. On the burial day, members of the public are expected to arrive at St John’s Cathedral by 8:00 am. The remains will lie in state at the cathedral for a short period of less than 45 minutes before prayers begin at 9:00 am and conclude around 1:00 pm.

After the service, mourners will undertake a six-kilometre procession from the cathedral to the Karambi Royal Tombs. Access to the burial grounds will be restricted to immediate members of the royal family and top government officials. Only a limited number of vehicles — not exceeding 30 — will be allowed to escort the body. Other mourners will observe from a designated distance or complete the journey on foot.

The body is scheduled to descend into Iziba, the royal burial place, at 2:00 pm prompt. This timing aligns with Tooro tradition, which requires that a king be buried in the early afternoon and not after the sun has significantly advanced.

Dr Richard Rwabuhinga, co-chairperson of the Organising Committee for the Burial, said the arrangements had been designed to ensure a dignified, culturally appropriate and orderly send-off for the late monarch. The committee has also tightened security and protocol measures around the key venues.

King Oyo will be buried alongside previous Tooro monarchs at the historic Karambi Royal Tombs. The burial coincides with the 31st anniversary of his coronation on 12 September 1995, when he ascended the throne as a three-year-old.

The tightly structured programme reflects the kingdom’s determination to complete the final rites within the cultural window prescribed for a Tooro monarch while according the late Omukama the respect due to his long reign.

Teaser: Tooro Kingdom releases King Oyo’s burial programme: only four speeches, service at St John’s Cathedral, interment at Karambi Royal Tombs on 12 September.