TAKEAWAYS

• Oyo’s body will leave Karuzika at 8:15am and arrive at St. John’s Cathedral, Kabarole.
• The burial service will run from 9:00am to 1:00pm, led by Archbishop Stephen Kazimba Mugalu.
• Mourners will walk about six kilometres from the cathedral to the royal tombs, with only 20–30 authorised vehicles allowed.

The Kingdom of Tooro has released the final programme for the send-off and burial of the late Omukama of Tooro, Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV, with subjects expected to walk about six kilometres to the royal tombs as they escort their king on his final journey.

According to officials from the Kingdom, the final day of the burial programme will begin early Saturday morning, with the body of the Omukama leaving Karuzika Palace at exactly 8:15am for St. John’s Cathedral, Kabarole.

Members of the public intending to attend the service have been urged to arrive and be seated at the cathedral by 8:00am.

The body will lie in state at the cathedral for 45 minutes, from 8:15am to 9:00am, before the procession moves to the main service grounds.

The burial service will be led by the Archbishop of the Church of Uganda, His Grace Dr Stephen Kazimba Mugalu, assisted by bishops and other clergy. The service is scheduled to run from 9:00am to 1:00pm.

Kingdom officials said the programme has been deliberately timed to ensure that the Omukama is buried early in accordance with Tooro traditions.

“In the Tooro traditions, we don’t bury the King beyond two. We don’t bury the King late. So the service will begin at exactly nine,” a Kingdom official said.

Only designated individuals will deliver eulogies during the service. They include the sister to the late King, Princess Ruth Nsemere Komuntale, Queen Mother Akiki Best Kemegisa and the Musuuga, head of the Babiito clan.

The President or his representative will deliver the final statement on behalf of the State before the service concludes.

After the service, mourners will proceed to the royal tombs, where the Omukama will be laid to rest alongside his ancestors.

Only between 20 and 30 authorised vehicles will be allowed to access the royal tombs, with special stickers being organised by the protocol team. These will include vehicles for the Queen Mother, Komuntale, Musuuga, bishops, Archbishop and the President’s representative.

The rest of the mourners will walk the approximately six-kilometre journey.

“For us as people of Tooro, we are prepared to make that trek as we escort our King on his final journey. It is a sign of love that we must demonstrate at the end of it all,” the official said.

The Kingdom said any changes to the programme will be communicated.