The Tooro Kingdom has begun its official nine-day mourning period for the late Omukama Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV following the arrival of his body at Karuzika Palace in Fort Portal.
The mourning period started on Friday, September 4, when the remains reached the royal palace, and will run until his burial at the Karambi Royal Tombs on September 12.
The nine-day period follows traditional Tooro customs that come into effect after the death of a reigning Omukama. Although Batooro had been mourning since news of King Oyo’s death broke, the kingdom had earlier clarified that the official traditional mourning period would begin once his body returned to Karuzika Palace.
Royal symbols mark the mourning period
Several visible changes have taken place across Tooro as the kingdom observes the traditional rites.
Tooro Kingdom flags now fly at half-mast, while royal regalia inside Karuzika Palace, including the royal drum, royal stool and spears, now sit upside down.
The kingdom has also covered lion statues around Fort Portal, including those at the palace entrance and the Fort Portal roundabout, with barkcloth. The lion represents the Omukama and his authority, while the covered statues symbolise the absence of a reigning king.
The kingdom has also suspended the singing of its anthem and the playing of royal drums during the mourning period. The anthem will resume after the installation of a new Omukama.
Mourning brings restrictions on public activities
The kingdom has issued several cultural guidelines for the nine-day period.
Married couples have been asked to abstain from sexual relations, while subjects have been advised to suspend digging and major agricultural work. The kingdom has also put public celebrations such as weddings and traditional introduction ceremonies on hold.
Entertainment venues and bars have received instructions to avoid loud music during the mourning period. The kingdom has encouraged tree planting in recognition of King Oyo’s interest in environmental conservation.
For Batooro who cannot travel to Karuziika Palace, the kingdom has encouraged communities to observe the mourning rites locally by lighting communal fires and gathering around them.
King Oyo’s final journey
King Oyo’s body arrived at Entebbe International Airport on September 4 before travelling through western Uganda to Fort Portal. Thousands of mourners lined the route before the remains reached Karuzika Palace later that day.
At the palace, traditional ritualists received the remains before the royal family formally took charge of the body.
The funeral programme will culminate on September 12 when King Oyo is laid to rest at the Karambi Royal Tombs. The date also marks 31 years since he ascended the Tooro throne as a three-year-old in 1995.