The Archbishop of the Church of Uganda, the Most Rev. Stephen Samuel Kazimba Mugalu, has called on the people of Tooro to remain united and honour the legacy of the late King Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV by continuing the causes he championed during his reign.
Speaking on Saturday during the burial service at St John’s Cathedral in Fort Portal City, Archbishop Kazimba urged mourners not to allow grief over the King’s death to deepen divisions within the Kingdom.
“Unity is so key. Grief shouldn’t divide us. Grief should bind us,” Archbishop Kazimba told mourners.
He said one of the best ways to honour King Oyo was to continue supporting the causes that were close to his heart, including environmental conservation, the fight against HIV/AIDS, sports and the protection of Tooro Kingdom heritage.
On environmental conservation, Archbishop Kazimba said King Oyo was passionate about protecting nature and announced plans by the Diocese of Rwenzori and its partners to plant 20,000 trees in memory of the fallen King.
He also urged Ugandans to sustain the late King’s campaign against HIV/AIDS, a cause he said Oyo championed passionately.
“By continuing his campaign against HIV/AIDS. This was a cause he championed passionately, and the best way to honour his memory is to keep that campaign alive and protect the lives he cared about,” Kazimba said.
The Archbishop further called on individuals and institutions holding historical properties belonging to the Tooro Kingdom to return them, saying King Oyo strongly advocated for the restoration of such properties.
“If you are still holding any Kingdom property, please return it in honour of the fallen King and to preserve the legacy he fought for,” he said.
Kazimba also encouraged the public to promote sports in memory of King Oyo, whom he described as a passionate sports enthusiast. He noted the late King’s support for local tournaments and the Uganda Cranes, as well as his well-known love for Arsenal Football Club.
“Let us promote sports in honour of King Oyo, who was a passionate sports enthusiast. He supported local tournaments, the Uganda Cranes and, above all, Arsenal,” he said.
The Archbishop acknowledged King Oyo’s contribution to the development of Tooro and urged the people of the Kingdom to use the mourning period to strengthen their bonds rather than allow differences to divide them.
King Oyo died on August 27 at the age of 34 while undergoing treatment in the United States. He ascended the Tooro throne in 1995 at the age of three and reigned for more than three decades.
During his reign, he championed initiatives in education, youth empowerment, agriculture, tourism, health and environmental conservation, leaving a legacy that continues to draw tributes from across Uganda.
As Tooro mourns its monarch and prepares for the transition ahead, Archbishop Kazimba urged the Kingdom to preserve the values and causes King Oyo stood for, saying his legacy can best be honoured through continued service to the people and unity.
