The Tooro Kingdom in western Uganda is mourning the death of King Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV, who rose to the throne as a three-year-old and went on to become the world’s youngest reigning monarch.
King Oyo died on Thursday at the age of 34, with the announcement made by Tooro Prime Minister Calvin Armstrong Rwomiire Akiiki.
The kingdom has not disclosed what caused his death.
A Ugandan government minister, however, was quoted in local media saying the King had been critically ill and was receiving treatment in the United States.
Oyo became the King of Tooro in 1995 following the death of his father, taking over the leadership of a kingdom with a history stretching back to the early 19th Century.
Because of his young age, a regency was formed to oversee the kingdom, with the queen mother among those involved in guiding its affairs until Oyo reached adulthood.
He was officially crowned when he turned 18, marking the beginning of his direct reign over the kingdom.
Guinness World Records recognised Oyo as the world’s youngest reigning monarch.
During his reign, he became a well-known figure in Uganda and was regarded as an important cultural leader despite having no political authority.
Uganda operates under an elected government headed by a president, but traditional kingdoms remain influential in the country’s cultural life.
The Tooro Kingdom is one of several such institutions that continue to play a major role in preserving traditions and representing their communities.
Oyo was the 13th monarch of Tooro and is said to have ruled over more than two million people.
In announcing his death, Akiiki described the loss as “immeasurable” and called for calm and unity among the people of Tooro.
“I call upon all the people of Tooro to remain united, calm and prayerful during this profoundly difficult time,” Akiiki said on Friday.
“May His Majesty the King rest in eternal peace.”
The Tooro Kingdom uses a hereditary system to determine its monarch, and questions over the future of the throne emerged following Oyo’s death.
Although the King was not officially married, Akiiki said the royal line would continue, with a prince set to succeed him.
“The continuity of the Crown is assured”.
“His Majesty leaves behind a Prince as his heir, whose identity will be formally revealed at the appropriate time, in accordance with the traditions and customs of Tooro Kingdom,” he explained.
Throughout his reign, Oyo was also associated with efforts aimed at improving the lives of young people and promoting social and environmental causes.
According to a report by the Daily Monitor newspaper, he supported youth empowerment, education, climate conservation and HIV/Aids awareness.
His death has also drawn condolences from other traditional institutions in Uganda, including the Buganda Kingdom, the country’s largest and most influential traditional institution.
Buganda said it was mourning alongside the people of Tooro, describing Oyo as a valuable figure to Uganda.
Oyo’s reign had begun under extraordinary circumstances when he inherited the throne at only three years old.
More than three decades later, his death brings to an end the life and reign of a monarch whose childhood coronation made him internationally known.