MBALE CITY, UGANDA — The Bamasaba Cultural Institution has joined the people of Tooro in mourning the passing of His Majesty King Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV, the Omukama of Tooro, describing his death as a painful loss to the cultural community.
Speaking on behalf of the Bamasaba Cultural Institution, spokesperson Hon. Steven Masiga said the entire Bugisu region stands with the Tooro Kingdom and the Tooro community both in Bugisu and in Tooro during this difficult period.
“As a community, we have notable Tooro royal representatives in the Bugisu Cultural Institution, including Hon. Rose Wekomba, Dr Kasoro and several others. We stand in solidarity with the family of the late King, the Queen Mother, the Babito ruling family and the entire region,” Masiga said.
He said the Bamasaba understand the pain of losing a young cultural leader and urged the Tooro Kingdom to use the difficult moment as an opportunity to strengthen unity rather than create divisions.
“We understand and share the pain of losing such a young leader. We pray that his demise should not create friction but rather should be used as a unifier and bring Tooro much closer,” he said.
Masiga drew a comparison with the death of Jesus Christ, noting that the people who remained behind continued his mission and ultimately strengthened Christianity.
“As Bamasaba, we convey our sympathies to the entire Royal Family, Cabinet and people in Bugisu who hail from Tooro. Indeed, lightning has struck and amata kaikire (milk has poured),” he said, using a traditional expression to describe the magnitude of the loss.
The Bamasaba Cultural Institution also recognised King Oyo’s contribution to causes that have affected communities across Uganda, particularly environmental conservation, the fight against HIV/AIDS, youth empowerment and education.
Masiga said the Bamasaba strongly associate themselves with these initiatives and acknowledged the late King’s efforts to promote them during his reign.
He further highlighted the longstanding cultural and social ties between Bugisu and Tooro, describing the relationship as one rooted in shared Bantu heritage and strengthened through marriage.
“Bugisu region has had a long-standing cultural history with Tooro, firstly as Bantu people and secondly through marriage ties. Many of our people have married in Tooro, while several Batooro have also married here,” Masiga said.
He described the death of King Oyo at a young age as a troubling and painful moment for both communities.
“It is a troubling moment for the loss of the King at such a young age, and as Bugisu region, we commiserate with the entire Tooro community, both in Bugisu and back in Tooro,” Masiga said.
The Bamasaba Cultural Institution extended its condolences to the Tooro royal family, the Kingdom’s leadership and all people mourning the death of the young monarch.
