President Yoweri Museveni has revealed that he learnt about the late Tooro King Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV’s battle with cancer in November 2025, months before the monarch’s death.
Museveni made the revelation on Friday while addressing mourners at Entebbe International Airport, where the body of the late King Oyo arrived from abroad.
The President said he learnt about the King’s illness while he was engaged in his campaign activities last year.
According to Museveni, the information about Oyo’s cancer diagnosis was known to him as early as November 2025, although the public was not informed about the monarch’s condition.
The revelation provides fresh insight into the circumstances surrounding King Oyo’s final months, during which the Tooro Kingdom largely maintained that the monarch was abroad for studies and was doing well.
King Oyo died on August 27, 2026, aged 34, after receiving medical treatment in the United States.
His death was announced by Tooro Kingdom Prime Minister Calvin Armstrong Rwomiire Akiiki, who said the King had been in critical condition before his death.
Rwomiire defended decision to keep illness private
The revelation comes days after Rwomiire explained why information about the King’s health had not been publicly disclosed.
The Prime Minister said information that Oyo was abroad for studies and was doing well had been communicated according to the late monarch’s wishes.
“As someone serving him, it was my responsibility to respect his wishes and protect his privacy. I did so faithfully and respectfully,” Rwomiire said.
He said the King had believed he was recovering and was looking forward to returning to Uganda and reuniting with his subjects for the 31st Empango celebrations.
Rwomiire also urged the public to avoid debating questions surrounding the King’s final days during the mourning period, saying there would be an appropriate time and forum to address them after the burial.
King Oyo’s final journey home
The President’s revelation came as Uganda received the remains of the monarch who had spent almost 31 years on the Tooro throne.
King Oyo became Omukama in 1995 at the age of three, following the death of his father, King Patrick David Matthew Kaboyo Olimi III.
His accession made him the world’s youngest reigning monarch, a distinction that remained a defining part of his extraordinary life.
After spending his childhood under regency, Oyo eventually assumed greater personal responsibility for the Kingdom and became one of Uganda’s most recognisable cultural leaders.
His body is now being taken to Tooro, where traditional funeral rites will be conducted before his burial at the royal tombs.
The revelation by Museveni is likely to renew public interest in the late King’s health, particularly the decision to keep his cancer diagnosis private until his death.
