King Oyo death: Body of world’s youngest reigning monarch arrives in Uganda after his death from cancer aged 34
The body of the world’s youngest reigning monarch has been flown home to Uganda, following his death amid a battle with an aggressive form of cancer.
Uganda’s King Oyo IV, 34, whose full name was Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi, became king of Tooro when he was three years old in 1995 following the death of his father.
The body of Uganda’s late King Oyo has been returned to his homeland. Getty Images
Ugandan President Yoweri Musveni was present for the late king’s arrival at Entebbe airport, alongside a number of other government officials who’d gathered to pay their respects.
Following a brief ceremony upon landing, the late king’s body was flown by military helicopter to the Tooro Kingdom in Kyegegwa, western Uganda, then transported to the royal palace in Fort Portal.
He will lie in state at Karuziika Palace, allowing members of the public to pay their respects over the nine-day period. He will then be laid to rest on Saturday – the anniversary of his coronation.
The return of his body marks the start of the Tooro kingdom’s official mourning period, amid a growing dispute over who should succeed the late king.
While King Oro was not officially married, he had a young son whose identity will be revealed at a later date, in accordance with Tooro customs.
The late king originally ascended the throne at just three years of age – but was officially crowned after his 18th birthday. He was named by the Guinness World Records list as the world’s youngest reigning monarch at the time.
While Uganda is governed by a parliament comprised by elected officials – with its five traditional sub-national kingdoms holding no political power – their monarchs retain strong cultural influence across the country.
His passing was announced by Ugandan prime minister Calvin Armstrong Rwomiire Akiiki, who did not immediately give a cause of death.
However, per the BBC, a separate Ugandan government minister was quoted in local media saying the late king had been critically ill, and had been receiving treatment in the US.
King Oyo (second from left) ascended the throne at age three, after the death of his father in 1995. Getty
Ugandan government officials paid their final respects to the late monarch at Entebbe International Airport. Getty
Prime Minister Akiiki later revealed the king had asked officials not to disclose the seriousness of his illness, as he’d believed he would pull through.
“He was confident in his recovery,” Akiiki said.
The king’s mother, Queen Mother Best Kemigisa, had reportedly informed him months prior about the diagnosis.
The prime minister described the death of King Oro as an “immeasurable loss” to the royal family and the people of Tooro.
“I call upon all the people of Tooro to remain united, calm and prayerful during this profoundly difficult time,” Akiiki said on Friday.
“May His Majesty the King rest in eternal peace.”
King Oyo was known for promoting causes such as youth empowerment, education and climate conservation, as well as HIV/Aids awareness, according to the BBC.
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