The body of the late Omukama of Tooro, King Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV, has arrived in Uganda, marking the beginning of a nine-day mourning period across the Tooro Kingdom.
The mourning period will run from September 4 to September 12, 2026, when King Oyo is scheduled to be laid to rest.
According to the Babiito Royal Clan, the mourning period will be observed in accordance with Tooro customs and traditions following the death of a reigning king.
Babiito Royal Clan spokesperson Moses Amooti has called on Tooro subjects to suspend farming throughout the nine-day mourning period as part of the traditional observances.
Amooti explained that the restriction is rooted in established mourning practices, under which farming normally stops for three days following the death of an ordinary person, four days when a member of the Babiito clan dies, and nine days when a reigning king dies.
“We therefore do not expect Batooro to engage in farming,” Amooti said, urging subjects to dedicate the period to mourning and respecting the cultural traditions of the kingdom.
Men have also been asked to leave their marital beds and abstain from sexual intimacy with their wives during the nine days.
Amooti said the measure is intended to ensure that subjects fully observe the mourning rituals and give the late king the respect required under Tooro tradition.
The Babiito Royal Clan has also appealed to bar owners, entertainment venues and members of the public to avoid playing loud music throughout the mourning period.
Amooti described loud entertainment during the mourning period as disrespectful and urged the public to give the kingdom space to grieve peacefully.
“That is mockery. We urge you to be patient for at least nine days,” he said, adding that activities likely to disturb the peace of others should be avoided until the burial.
The restrictions will remain in place until September 12, when King Oyo will be buried, bringing the official nine-day mourning period to an end.
The period is expected to see Tooro subjects observe various cultural practices as the kingdom prepares to bid farewell to a monarch whose reign began when he was still a child and spanned more than two decades.
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