A traditional Ugandan ruler named as the world’s youngest monarch Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV is dead at 34.
He is survived by two children Kingdom officials have stated .
Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV became king of Tooro in western Uganda at just three years old on 12th September 1995 after the death of his father Omukama Mathew Kaboyo (Rwamuhokya) Olimi III.
Oyo was the second-born child of the late Omukama Patrick David Matthew Kaboyo Olimi III and Queen Best Kemigisa Kaboyo, with two sisters. He was born on April 16, 1992, Oyo’s two sisters are Princess Ruth Nsemere Komuntale and the late Princess Cecilia Komukyeya.
Princess Komukyeya King Oyo’s younger sister passed away from leukemia in October 1997 at the age of four.
The Tooro kingdom did not disclose the cause of King Oyo’s death, but a Ugandan government minister was quoted in local media saying that he had been critically ill and was seeking treatment in the US. Sources say he died of barin cancer .
The Queen Mother of Tooro Kingdom Best Kemigisa was often close by her son’s side, particularly earlier in his reign. Here she was accompanying him to the Kabira International school in the capital Kampala in 2006.
Though Uganda is governed by an elected president and parliament, it has several traditional kingdoms which continue to have significant cultural influence despite not having political power.
Announcing his death, Tooro’s Prime Minister Calvin Armstrong Rwomiire Akiiki called his passing on Thursday 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.”
The Tooro Kingdom follows a hereditary system in selecting its monarch.
Oyo was not officially married, but Akiiki said “the continuity of the Crown is assured”.
“His Majesty leaves behind a Prince as his heir, whose identity will be formally revealed at the appropriate time, in accordance with the traditions and customs of Tooro Kingdom,” he explained.
When he became king in 1995 a regency, which included the queen mother, and Uganda’s President Yoweri Museveniwas established until Oyo turned 18 when there was an official coronation.
His unusual status as a modern “boy king” led to considerable interest early in his reign, including from world leaders like former Libyan strongman Moammar Gadhafi, who repeatedly visited Tooro.
Oyo’s mother was among his key advisers in his younger years, as was President Museveni, who attended his coming-of-age 18th birthday party in 2010 in Fort Portal.
In 2025, the Guinness Book of World Records said he was still the youngest reigning monarch alive, its most recent renewal of the record.
He spent time in the UK at Winchester University to conclude his education.
This time away from Uganda prompted a failed challenge to his position in 2015, when his cousin Prince David Kijanangoma declared himself the rightful king of Tooro, accusing Oyo of neglecting the region.
Oyo was known as a lover of sports, and a fan of London football club Arsenal.
He took interest in causes including HIV prevention, environmental conservation, tourism and climate change, for instance when he embarked on a hiking expedition in the Rwenzori Mountains in 2022 to try to showcase Uganda’s tourism potential and the risks of climate change.
Respected in his Kingdom
The young king was well respected by his people and promoted causes such as youth empowerment, education and climate conservation, as well as HIV/Aids awareness.
The country’s largest and most influential traditional institution, the Buganda Kingdom, said it mourned with the people of Tooro following the death of their monarch, labelling him a valuable figure to Uganda.
Similarly, the Rwenzururu Kingdom also extended its condolences to “all those mourning this great loss”, according to local media reports.
Others have also paid their respects to the late king.
The Federation of Uganda Football Associations, honoured King Oyo as a “true friend of the beautiful game”, and announced a moment of silence before the kick-off of all matches until 4 September in memory of his “legacy, love, passion and contribution” to the sport.
Government minister Margaret Muhanga described the mood in the kingdom as “sombre… you can’t see anyone smiling”.
The king was “at the prime of his life”, she said in a video shared on social media, “as young as he was, he had an impact on his kingdom”.
Muhanga said they would be planting a million trees in his honour during the mourning period, and wants to ask the neighbouring districts in Tooro to do the same.
Veteran Uganadan musician Juliana Kanyomozi who also hails from Tooro called it a “very dark day for Tooro”, in an Instagram post. “Gone too soon. What a loss!!!!”
