FORT PORTAL/KAMPALA, Uganda — Government and Tooro Kingdom officials have released an updated funeral programme for the late Omukama of Tooro, Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV, whose remains are expected to arrive in Uganda on Friday, September 4, 2026.
The 34 year old monarch, who reigned for 31 years after ascending the throne on September 12, 1995, at the age of three, died on August 27, 2026, in the United States while receiving treatment for an aggressive form of cancer.
His remains left Dallas, Texas, on Wednesday and are scheduled to arrive at Entebbe International Airport at approximately 10 a.m. on Friday, following a change from an earlier plan for a Thursday arrival.
President Yoweri Museveni is expected to receive the remains at the airport, pay his last respects and convey condolences to the royal family, the people of Tooro and the country.
The Queen Mother, Best Kemigisha, and the Omuhikirwa of Tooro, Calvin Armstrong Rwomiire Akiiki, will join the President in leading the homage to the late King. Only a limited number of invited guests will attend the airport reception.
Following the ceremony at Entebbe, a military helicopter will transport the King’s remains to Kyegegwa District, at the border between Tooro and Buganda.
From Kyegegwa, the casket will begin a slow road procession towards Fort Portal, passing through Kyegegwa, Kyenjojo and Kabarole districts. The arrangement will give people along the route an opportunity to pay their last respects to their King before the cortege reaches Karuziika Palace, the official seat of Tooro Kingdom.
According to Moses Musinguzi Amooti, spokesperson of the Babiito Clan, the royal clan, members of the public who wish to pay homage along the route have been encouraged to dress smartly and in a manner that respects the culture of the Batooro.
Musinguzi said there will be no scheduled stops along the route, but the cortege will move at a slow pace to allow people to see and pay their respects to the late King.
Richard Rwabuhinga, chairperson of the National Organising Committee, said the Kyegegwa stop was included to enable more people to see their King for the last time, particularly those who may not be able to travel to Karuziika Palace.
The remains are expected to arrive at Karuziika Palace on Friday evening, where the reception will be led by the Omusuga, the head of the Babiito Clan.
The arrival at Karuziika Palace will mark the beginning of nine days of cultural mourning, running from September 4 until September 12, when the King will be buried.
Under Tooro custom, the King’s body will remain at Karuziika Palace throughout the mourning period and will not be moved to other locations. Traditional cultural rites, including the Kutaabaza burial ritual, will be conducted during the mourning period.
The burial has been scheduled for September 12, 2026, at the Karambi Royal Tombs, also known as Amagasani, along the Fort Portal Kasese Road.
The date will coincide with the 31st anniversary of the King’s coronation.
Unlike princes and princesses, who may be buried in designated open spaces, the late King will be interred at the royal tombs alongside previous Tooro kings.
The final day will begin with a church service at St. John’s Cathedral in Fort Portal at 9 a.m. on September 12. At midday, the King’s remains will be taken to the Karambi Royal Tombs for burial.
According to the Babiito Clan spokesperson, kings are not buried in the evening, explaining the timing of the burial ceremony.
The late King will also be accorded a gun salute as part of the official burial ceremonies.
National flags will fly at half mast for three days, including the day before the burial, the burial day and the day after.
Parliament was scheduled to hold a special sitting on Thursday, September 3, to pay tribute to the late King.
Preparations at Karuziika Palace and the Karambi Royal Tombs have included renovations, restricted access, landscaping and security arrangements ahead of the arrival of the remains and the burial.
Fort Portal City has also undertaken a clean up and tree planting drive in honour of the late monarch, whose advocacy for environmental conservation was among the causes associated with his reign.
Meanwhile, Rwabuhinga and other officials have appealed to the public to respect the cultural and official arrangements throughout the mourning period.
He also urged the public not to turn the mourning period into speculation about succession, saying Tooro Kingdom is not a political institution and that the King is not elected.
Succession arrangements are being handled separately by a 21 member committee of Babiito clan elders headed by Musuuga Charles Kamurasi.
The National Organising Committee is working with Tooro Kingdom officials, the Office of the Musuuga and regional ministers to coordinate security, protocol and logistics during the funeral period.
Further details on the daily cultural activities planned during the nine days of mourning are expected to be communicated through official Tooro Kingdom channels.
