TAKEAWAYS

• President Museveni is expected to pay tribute when King Oyo’s body arrives at Entebbe.
• The body will continue to Tooro before being taken to Fort Portal and Karuzika Palace.
• The late Omukama died aged 34 while receiving treatment in the United States.

The Office of the President has released details of the planned return of the body of the late Omukama Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV to Uganda following his death in the United States.

According to Yusuf Kakande, the spokesperson of the Office of the President, the late monarch’s body is expected to arrive in Uganda this week aboard a flight from Nairobi and will be received at Entebbe International Airport.

President Yoweri Museveni is expected to be among those paying tribute to the late Omukama upon the arrival of his body.

“The President himself will be present to pay his last respects to the late Omukama,” Kakande said while outlining the planned arrangements.

After the official reception at Entebbe, the body is expected to be transported by helicopter to the Tooro region landing first in Kyegegwa District before beginning its final journey to Fort Portal.

The late King will then be taken through Kyegegwa allowing members of the public to line the route and pay their final respects before his body is taken to Karuzika Palace, the official palace of the Omukama of Tooro.

“The period of official mourning will then begin as preparations are made to lay the Omukama to rest among his ancestors,” Kakande said.

He called upon Ugandans and the people of Tooro to remain united and prayerful during this difficult period.

Omukama Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV died aged 34 while receiving treatment in the United States, according to announcements from Tooro Kingdom. His passing has triggered an outpouring of grief across Uganda.

The country continues to mourn with the Queen Mother Best Kemigisa, the Royal Family, the people of Tooro and all Ugandans as preparations for the late monarch’s final send-off get underway.