Uganda’s former youngest king buried amid family feud

Thousands of mourners gathered in Uganda on Saturday to bury King Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV, the former world’s youngest reigning monarch, as a dispute over his successor threatened to divide the Tooro royal family.

Oyo, who ascended the throne at the age of three in 1995, died on August 28, 2026, at the age of 34 while receiving cancer treatment in the United States.

He succeeded his father, King Patrick Matthew Kaboyo Rukidi III, and ruled the Tooro Kingdom for 31 years. Guinness World Records had previously recognised him as the world’s youngest reigning monarch.

His remains were returned to Uganda ahead of the burial. President Yoweri Museveni joined other dignitaries and mourners at Entebbe Airport before the coffin was flown by military helicopter to Kyegegwa in western Uganda, where the kingdom is located.

The body was later transported by road to the royal palace in Fort Portal.

At a memorial service at Saint John’s Cathedral in Fort Portal, Oyo’s sister, Princess Ruth Komuntale, remembered him as a cheerful and compassionate person.

“He had a gift to make people laugh,” she said.

“He always knew how to brighten my day,” she added through tears.

However, the king’s death has triggered a succession dispute involving members of the royal family and the Babiito royal clan.

A selection committee from the Babiito clan announced on Wednesday that Prince Edward Rukidi Kijanangoma, a news anchor with Uganda’s public broadcaster, had been selected to succeed Oyo.

The decision was rejected by Princess Komuntale, who accused unnamed individuals of conspiring against her and the Queen Mother.

She also produced a will which she said Oyo prepared in 2022. According to her, the document designated the king’s biological son as heir, although she did not disclose the child’s name.

The claim reportedly surprised sections of the Tooro elite, who said they were unaware of the alleged son and did not include him in the succession process.

The late king’s mother has also alleged that she and other members of the royal family were effectively placed under house arrest amid the dispute.

As the burial took place, President Museveni appealed to the people of Tooro to resolve the succession matter peacefully.

“Once the matter of the new king of the Batoro is settled, we will be happy to work with him, just as we did with His Highness Oyo,” the president said in a statement read at the ceremony.

“I call on the Batoro to use peaceful and lawful means to resolve this issue and to favour unity over division.”

The head of the Babiito clan, Omusuuga Charles Karumasi, defended the selection process, saying it followed the customs and traditions of Tooro.

“We have done everything in observance of the culture and traditions of Tooro. We must all preserve peace and serenity,” he said.

Although Uganda is a republic, it officially recognises four traditional kingdoms. The institutions have limited political authority but retain significant cultural and historical influence.