Minister Babalanda Unveils Government’s Grand Plan for King Oyo’s Final Journey
The Government has unveiled an elaborate national programme for the burial of the late King of Tooro, His Royal Highness Rukirabasaija Omukama Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV, with Minister for the Presidency Hon. Babirye Milly Babalanda briefing Parliament on preparations for his official and befitting send-off.
King Oyo, who was widely regarded as an iconic, promising and people-oriented monarch, died on Friday, August 28, 2026, in Dallas, United States, at the age of 34 while receiving medical treatment. His death has triggered nationwide mourning, with President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni taking the lead in paying tribute to the young King and directing Government to ensure a dignified burial.According to Babalanda, Cabinet met at State House Entebbe on Monday, August 31, under the chairmanship of President Museveni, where members extended their condolences and reflected on the King’s contribution to Tooro.
The President subsequently directed Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja to coordinate a Whole-of-Government approach involving various ministries, public institutions and other key stakeholders in organizing the burial.Babalanda also conveyed President Museveni’s emotional tribute to the late monarch, in which he described his death as deeply unfair, considering that King Oyo had lost his parents at a young age and himself died while still young. She said Government had supported his medical treatment in Germany and later the United States, before meeting the costs of bringing his remains back home.She told Parliament that a special sitting had already been held on September 1, during which legislators debated and paid tribute to the late King’s contribution to the socio-economic transformation of Tooro.
On the same day, the Prime Minister chaired an Inter-Ministerial National Organising Committee together with representatives of the Tooro Royal Family to coordinate the burial arrangements.The committee brings together several ministries, including Gender and Culture, Presidency, Agriculture, Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities, Public Service, Foreign Affairs and Internal Affairs. Babalanda said the remains are expected to arrive at Entebbe International Airport at 10:00am on Friday, September 4, following arrangements involving Government, the Royal Family, authorities in Dallas and Kenyan authorities to facilitate their smooth transit.The Government programme covers a wide range of services, including events management at Entebbe Airport, Karuzika Royal Palace, Buziga Royal Residency, Karambi Royal Tombs and St. John’s Cathedral. Government will provide tents, chairs, mobile toilets and public-address systems, while feeding of mourners for nine days will be coordinated by the Office of the Chief of Defence Forces under the Ministry of Defence at Buziga and Karuzika.
Other preparations include funeral services by A-Plus Funeral Home, security and protocol, UPDF and UPF bands, pall bearers, a gun salute, crowd control and improvements at Karuzika Palace by the UPDF Engineers Brigade. Government will also facilitate visiting royal delegations, meet the repatriation and medical costs, and establish a health camp through the Ministry of Health. Babalanda assured Parliament that security agencies are fully prepared, while the official nine-day mourning period will commence once King Oyo’s body arrives at Karuzika Palace.
