The illness that claimed the life of Tooro King Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV began with persistent pain that doctors initially struggled to explain, before investigations in Nairobi eventually revealed an aggressive form of cancer.
The details of the late King’s medical journey were disclosed on Saturday by Ugandan diplomat and Tooro Kingdom Chief of Protocol Guma Komwiswa, who delivered an official statement on behalf of Queen Mother Best Kemigisa during the funeral service at St John’s Cathedral in Fort Portal City.
The service was led by the Archbishop of the Church of Uganda, Stephen Kaziimba Mugalu.
According to the Queen Mother’s account, Oyo first complained of pain in July 2025. He initially believed it was related to his physical workouts, but the discomfort persisted.
He eventually sought medical attention at The Surgery in Naguru, Kampala, where an X-ray was carried out but failed to establish the source of the pain.
The King then underwent approximately two weeks of outpatient physiotherapy at the facility, without significant improvement.
An orthopaedic surgeon later recommended an MRI scan at Ruby Hospital in Kampala. However, the scan also failed to identify the illness behind his worsening condition.
It was not until after Oyo’s 29th coronation anniversary on September 12, 2025, that doctors in Nairobi finally established what he was battling.
At Aga Khan Hospital in Nairobi, a PET scan revealed that the King had angiosarcoma, an aggressive type of cancer capable of spreading rapidly.
The diagnosis marked the beginning of a lengthy treatment journey that would take Oyo from Kenya to Germany and eventually the United States.
While the King was in Nairobi, Queen Mother Kemigisa returned to Uganda and briefed President Museveni about his diagnosis. The President subsequently facilitated Oyo’s travel to Germany for specialised treatment.
In Heidelberg, the King was treated at Thoraxklinik Hospital before being transferred to Krankenhaus Salem Hospital, where doctors confirmed the diagnosis and started chemotherapy in November 2025.
Chemotherapy continued until February 2026, but the cancer remained aggressive, leading to his transfer to the United States for further treatment.
Oyo was admitted to Dallas Medical Centre in Texas before later receiving treatment at Baylor Scott & White Hospital in Dallas.
There were moments when the family believed the King could recover.
According to the Queen Mother’s account, Oyo’s condition at one point showed “remarkable improvement”. He continued eating well, remained coherent and maintained communication with people close to him.
He regularly spoke with Tooro Kingdom Prime Minister Calvin Armstrong Rwomiire, members of the royal family, senior palace staff and his Principal Private Secretary, Jonathan Baguma.
Despite the seriousness of his condition, Oyo remained convinced that he would recover.
But his medical condition was kept largely away from public attention because the King himself wanted his illness to remain private.
“The King wanted to keep his medical condition private,” Komwiswa said.
Oyo had instructed the Prime Minister to tell the people of Tooro that he was in the United States on a working visit and pursuing studies.
The secrecy surrounding his health meant that some senior kingdom officials were also unaware of the extent of his illness.
According to the Queen Mother’s account, Oyo remained in communication with those around him until August 27, when his condition suddenly deteriorated.
Doctors placed him on life support as they attempted to save his life, but their efforts failed.
The King was pronounced dead at 2pm US time on August 27, 2026.
His death brought to an end the reign of a monarch who ascended the Tooro throne as a child and later grew into a King associated with efforts to modernise the kingdom while maintaining its traditional institutions.
Oyo, is due to be buried on Saturday at the Karambi Royal Tombs, where members of the Tooro royal family are laid to rest.
His burial closes the formal mourning period for a King whose death has not only left the kingdom grieving but has also ushered Tooro into a new phase as it prepares for a change of monarch.
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