Ugandan musician Shakira Shakira has spoken about her personal friendship with the late Omukama Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV, recalling moments when the Tooro monarch would personally drop her home after gym sessions.
Shakira Shakira described King Oyo as a friend, sharing the memory as tributes continue to emerge following the death of the young monarch.
According to the musician, their relationship went beyond the public image of the King and the celebrity world. She said Oyo was approachable and maintained a friendship with her, including occasions when he would offer her a ride home after they had been at the gym.
“King Oyo was my friend. He used to drop me home after gym,” Shakira Shakira said, reflecting on her interactions with the monarch.
Her remarks offer a more personal glimpse into the life of King Oyo, who for years occupied a unique position in Uganda’s cultural and traditional landscape.
Oyo became Omukama of Tooro at the age of three in 1995, following the death of his father, Patrick Matthew Kaboyo Olimi III. His coronation made him one of the world’s youngest reigning monarchs at the time.
Over the years, the King grew into adulthood while continuing to represent the Tooro Kingdom at cultural, social and national events. His public life also brought him into contact with prominent Ugandans from different sectors, including musicians, politicians, businesspeople and other public figures.
Shakira Shakira’s recollection highlights the personal relationships that the monarch developed away from official royal functions. Her account of being driven home after gym sessions portrays Oyo as someone who could interact casually with friends despite his royal status.
The musician’s comments come at a time when friends, cultural leaders and members of the public continue to share memories of the late King and reflect on his contribution to Tooro and Uganda.
For many people, Oyo’s death has triggered an outpouring of grief, with tributes focusing not only on his role as the Omukama but also on the personal relationships he maintained throughout his life.
Shakira Shakira’s testimony adds another voice to those remembering the monarch, portraying him not simply as a king but as a friend who, in her experience, showed personal kindness through ordinary gestures such as taking her home after a workout.
As preparations surrounding the King’s final rites and the future of the Tooro Kingdom continue to attract national attention, stories from those who knew him personally are providing a more intimate picture of the man behind the crown.
