By Christine Akankunda
Fort Portal City was yesterday gripped by grief as thousands of mourners lined the streets to witness the final journey of the late Omukama of Tooro, King Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV.
Security was tight in the city, with heavy deployment both along the streets and at St John’s Cathedral, where the final church service for the fallen king was held.
The day’s events began at around nine o’clock in the morning when the body of King Oyo officially left Karuzika Palace for the final time. The procession was led by the Uganda Police state Band, royal guards, cultural leaders, members of the royal family and the Queen Mother, Best Kemigisa, together with the king’s sister, Princess Komutale Nsemere.
The farewell was not only marked by Christian burial rites, but also by a series of ancient Babiito cultural rituals performed at Karuzika as the body left the palace and later at the Karambi Royal Tombs.
For the royal family, it was a deeply painful moment as Queen Mother Best Kemigisa, Princess Komutale Nsemere and other members of the royal family confronted the reality of losing their king and son.
Speaking at St John’s Cathedral on behalf of President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, Deputy Speaker of Parliament Thomas Tayebwa urged the people of Tooro to remain peaceful and united during this difficult period.
Tayebwa noted that while the people of Tooro have lost their king, the loss is even more personal for Queen Mother Best Kemigisa, who has lost a son a loss he described as irreplaceable.
He added that Oyo had never asked government for any thing persona, he always prioritised lobbying for the people of Tooro.