Archbishop Stephen Kaziimba Mugalu has called on Ugandans to support Arsenal Football Club as a way of remembering and following the legacy of the late King Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV of Tooro.
The Archbishop made the light-hearted appeal while speaking about the late king, who was known among many people for his love of football and particularly his support for Arsenal.
According to Archbishop Kaziimba, King Oyo’s passion for Arsenal was well known, and he jokingly suggested that Ugandans who want to continue honouring the late king should also consider supporting the English club.
“King Oyo supported Arsenal, so if you want to follow his legacy, support Arsenal, all of you,” Archbishop Kaziimba said.
The Archbishop’s remarks brought a lighter moment to the remembrance of King Oyo, whose death has been a moment of deep sadness for the people of Tooro and many other Ugandans.
Kaziimba also made a humorous observation about Arsenal’s performances during the period when King Oyo was ill. He said he felt bad because Arsenal appeared to be doing well while the king was battling his illness.
“I felt so bad because ever since he fell ill, Arsenal has been winning,” the Archbishop said, linking the club’s results to the difficult period the late king went through.
The comment reflected the way football can sometimes become part of personal memories and relationships, especially when a person is strongly associated with a particular club.
For those who knew King Oyo, his support for Arsenal was one of the lighter and more relatable aspects of his personality. Beyond his position as a traditional leader, he was also a young man with interests and passions that connected him to ordinary people.
King Oyo’s love for sports was known among his friends, family members and supporters. His interests in football and other activities showed another side of his life away from the formal responsibilities that came with being the King of Tooro.
Archbishop Kaziimba’s message therefore encouraged people to remember Oyo not only through his leadership and cultural responsibilities but also through the things that made him happy.
The late king became a prominent figure in Uganda’s cultural landscape from a young age. During his reign, he represented the Tooro Kingdom at various functions and worked to maintain the cultural identity and traditions of the Batooro.
His death has since attracted tributes from political leaders, religious leaders, cultural figures and members of the public who remember him for different aspects of his life.
The Archbishop’s Arsenal comment added a personal and humorous touch to the many tributes being made in honour of the late king. Rather than focusing only on his royal position, it reminded mourners that Oyo was also a football fan who had a club he passionately supported.
Arsenal has a large following in Uganda, and Kaziimba’s appeal was therefore likely to connect with many football-loving Ugandans. His words turned the late king’s football preference into a simple way for people to remember him.
The Archbishop appeared to suggest that supporting Arsenal could become one of the fun ways people keep Oyo’s memory alive. His message was not presented as a formal instruction but as a humorous tribute to a young king whose interests extended beyond royal duties.
For Arsenal supporters, the remarks may provide another reason to associate the club with the memory of King Oyo. Football often creates strong emotional connections, and supporters can continue remembering people through the teams they loved.
Kaziimba’s remarks also showed how public figures can use humour during moments of mourning to bring comfort and create moments of laughter. The passing of King Oyo had brought together people from different backgrounds, and such moments offered a softer side to the solemn occasion.
At the same time, the Archbishop’s tribute recognised the importance of remembering Oyo as an individual rather than only as a king. His personal interests, friendships, sporting preferences and character were all part of the legacy he left behind.
King Oyo’s supporters and mourners will continue to remember him in different ways, including through his cultural leadership, his relationship with his people and the activities he enjoyed during his life.
For Archbishop Kaziimba, however, Arsenal has now become part of that memory. His message was simple: if Ugandans truly want to follow one of King Oyo’s personal passions, they should join him in supporting Arsenal.
The humorous call came at a time when the country was mourning the loss of the Tooro king, giving people a moment to smile while remembering a leader whose life touched many people. In that way, Kaziimba’s Arsenal message became another memorable tribute to King Oyo and his personal love for football.
