FORT PORTAL, Uganda — Tooro Kingdom has confirmed that King Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV is in critical condition, dismissing reports circulating on social media that the 34-year-old monarch had died.
The kingdom’s Prime Minister, Calvin Armstrong Rwomiire Akiiki, issued the clarification on Thursday, August 27, following a wave of speculation about the health of the Omukama.
“This is to inform you that His Majesty King Oyo is currently in a critical condition,” the Prime Minister said in an official communication, without disclosing the nature of the illness or where the King is receiving treatment.
The statement came hours after reports emerged claiming that King Oyo had died in the United States, with some reports alleging that he had been receiving treatment for cancer.
Those claims had not been independently verified, and the royal household had not announced his death.
Instead, Tooro Kingdom urged the public to remain calm, refrain from spreading unverified information and continue praying for the monarch.
The development marks a dramatic shift from the kingdom’s position earlier this month, when officials dismissed reports that King Oyo was seriously ill and receiving treatment in the United States.
On August 3, the kingdom said the reports were false and misleading and maintained that the King was in good health and abroad for official engagements and further studies.
“We wish to reassure all our people that His Majesty is in good health,” the kingdom said at the time, urging the public to rely on official communication from the royal administration.
The latest statement, however, confirms that the monarch is now in critical condition, although the kingdom has not publicly identified the illness or provided details about his medical treatment.
King Oyo’s long reign
Born on April 16, 1992, Oyo ascended the Tooro throne on September 12, 1995, following the death of his father, Omukama Patrick David Matthew Kaboyo Olimi III.
He was only three years old when he became king, making him one of the world’s youngest reigning monarchs at the time.
According to the official Tooro Kingdom history, Oyo succeeded his father after the latter died on August 26, 1995. He later assumed full operational control of the kingdom after reaching adulthood.
Over three decades on the throne, King Oyo has become one of Uganda’s most prominent cultural leaders.
His reign has included initiatives focused on education, healthcare, environmental conservation, tourism, youth empowerment and economic development in Tooro.
The kingdom itself remains one of Uganda’s traditional institutions. Although Uganda’s traditional kingdoms were abolished in 1967, they were restored in 1993 as cultural institutions.
Death rumours spread online
Reports of the King’s alleged death spread rapidly on Thursday, causing concern among members of the Abatooro and other Ugandans.
The reports were fuelled by earlier claims that Oyo had been receiving medical treatment in the United States.
The Tooro Kingdom’s latest statement has sought to draw a clear distinction between the unverified death reports and the confirmed health crisis.
Minister Balaam Barugahara also said the King remained alive but unwell and was under medical management in the United States.
Also Read: Veteran Ugandan journalist Joe Nam shot dead at home in Kampala
“His Majesty the King of Tooro is still unwell and remains under medical management in the United States of America,” Barugahara said, while calling on Ugandans and well-wishers to pray for the monarch and the medical team treating him.
The kingdom has not disclosed whether the King is suffering from cancer, despite earlier reports making that claim.
Kingdom appeals for prayers
The latest confirmation has prompted renewed calls for prayers for the monarch as concerns over his health intensify.
Tooro Kingdom has asked the public to respect the privacy of the royal family and avoid speculation while waiting for further official communication.
The development leaves the future health of the 34-year-old monarch under close watch, with the kingdom expected to provide additional information when appropriate.
For now, King Oyo has not been confirmed dead. The official position is that he is critically ill and receiving medical attention.
This is a developing story.
