The body of the late King Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV of Tooro arrived at Entebbe International Airport on Friday, September 4, where it was received by President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, senior government officials, members of the royal family, and friends.

ALSO READ: Who was King Oyo, the late monarch of Uganda&039;s Tooro Kingdom

The aircraft touched down at 12:02pm Uganda time. Oyo, 34, died on August 27 after battling cancer. President Museveni granted him an official state-supported funeral.

The government is covering costs for security, crowd control, counter-terrorism measures, ceremonial arrangements, UPDF and Police bands, the gun salute, protocol and seating.

From Entebbe, the casket will be airlifted by a military helicopter to Kyegegwa, where it will be transferred to a vehicle for the road journey to Fort Portal.

The procession will pass through Kyegegwa, Kyenjojo and Kabarole before reaching Fort Portal City and continuing to Karuziika Palace.

Mourners along the route will have an opportunity to pay their final respects.

The Tooro Kingdom’s nine-day mourning period, known as okugaragara, will begin when the body arrives at Karuziika Palace. The remains will lie in state there during the mourning period.

Oyo will be buried on Saturday, September 12, at the Karambi Royal Tombs. The date marks the anniversary of his accession to the Tooro throne.

Born on April 16, 1992, Oyo became heir to the Tooro throne after the death of his father, King Patrick David Matthew Rwamuhokya Kaboyo Olimi III, on August 26, 1995.

He ascended the throne on September 12, 1995, aged three, and was later crowned King of Tooro.