Uganda on Saturday, September 12, bid farewell to King Oyo Nyimba Iguru Kabamba Rukidi IV at St John’s Cathedral in Fort Portal, days after he died following a battle with cancer. At the funeral Mass, mourners remembered the late King while the country was urged to step up efforts to prevent cancer and other diseases. The funeral service was presided over by Archbishop Stephen Kazimba Mugalu, who called on mourners to grieve in unity and avoid words that could deepen divisions. “Grief shouldn’t divide us but bind us, not grind you or blind you. Let us be careful with words spoken in grief. They may cause pain, division and conflict and can destroy the legacy of the King we are mourning and the kingdom itself.,” he said. He described King Oyo’s death as a great loss, saying earthly crowns are passed on, while heavenly crowns are eternal for believers who accept Christ and remain faithful. The Deputy Speaker of the Parliament of Uganda, Thomas Tayebwa, who represented President Yoweri Museveni, read the President’s message to mourners, calling for greater efforts to prevent cancer and other diseases. “As we mourn the King, I call upon Ugandans to launch a war against cancer. Eighty percent of diseases, I have been told, are preventable, including cancer,” he said. “Let us do our part and God do the best. May the soul of King Oyo rest in peace,” he concluded. A brother remembered Princess Ruth Komuntale remembered her late brother as a devoted family man who retained the joy and curiosity of the young boy she had grown up with despite the responsibilities of the throne. She recalled his love for sports, farming, animals, exercise and Scripture, adding that he was someone who worked hard, learned, prayed, played, loved his family and lived. Komuntale also spoke about the King’s battle with cancer, saying he was diagnosed with angiosarcoma, an aggressive type of cancer that can spread rapidly, in October 2025 after more than a year of seeking medical care for unexplained pain. By the time he received the correct diagnosis, the cancer had spread to multiple organs, although treatment initially brought significant improvement. She said the King remained prayerful throughout his illness and urged people to take their health seriously by seeking medical attention, asking questions and getting a second opinion when necessary. ‘I asked God to take me first’ Queen Mother Best Kemigisa spoke of the anguish she endured during her son’s illness, saying she repeatedly begged God to spare King Oyo and take her instead. She said she eventually had to accept that his death was beyond her control. “I really asked God to take me first when I was in the hospital instead of King Oyo. I begged God but He decided to take King Oyo first. I asked myself if God needed him more than me. I prayed and He refused and I wondered, now what will I do?” she said. According to the Queen Mother, King Oyo remained in communication with people around him and was still talking until Thursday, August 27, when his health suddenly deteriorated. “Doctors placed him on life support as they attempted to save his life, but their efforts were unsuccessful. The King was pronounced dead at 2pm US time on August 27,” she said. The hearse carrying the King’s remains left Karuziika Palace in the morning for mass. His body then headed to the Karambi Royal Tombs, where he will be laid to rest.
