By Wamala Sipirian
Published: September 23, 2026
Queen Mother Best Kemigisa has thanked Ugandans and supporters around the world for standing with the Tooro royal family following the death and burial of her only son, King Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV.
In a statement issued after Oyo’s burial at the Karambi Royal Tombs on September 12, Kemigisa described the period since his death on August 27 as one of the most painful experiences of her life.
She said the support from people in Tooro, across Uganda and abroad had helped the family through the mourning period.
“King Oyo was my son before he was my King,” Kemigisa said. “I held him as a little boy. I watched him grow. I watched him carry responsibilities far greater than his age. I watched him become a man, a leader, and an Omukama loved far beyond the borders of Tooro.”
Queen Mother thanks Ugandans for support
Oyo died aged 34 while receiving cancer treatment in the United States, ending a 31-year reign that began when he was three years old.
His remains arrived in Uganda on September 4 and were received at Entebbe International Airport by President Yoweri Museveni, members of the royal family, government officials and religious leaders.
The body was later taken to Karuziika Palace, where it lay in state before the burial at the Karambi Royal Tombs on September 12.
Kemigisa thanked those who travelled to receive and mourn the late King, as well as people who supported the family through prayers, messages and phone calls.
“To every person who came to the airport and stood along the roads as my son came home; to the thousands who came to Karuziika Palace during those nine long days; to those who prayed with us in churches across the world; to those who travelled from near and far to Fort Portal; and to everyone who sent a message, made a telephone call, offered a prayer, or simply cried with us: thank you,” she said.
“You stood by me when I could hardly carry myself.”
She also singled out President Museveni for appreciation, saying he had known Oyo since childhood and supported him during the early years of his reign and throughout his life as Omukama of Tooro.
Kemigisa also thanked Museveni for agreeing to serve as Patron and Founding Chairman of the proposed King Oyo Memorial Foundation.
Family plans projects in Oyo’s name
Kemigisa said she and her daughter, Princess Ruth Nsemere Komuntale, had decided that their response to Oyo’s death would extend beyond mourning.
She said the family wants to use the late King’s legacy to support projects in areas including health, sports, agriculture, tourism and youth development.
“Our commitment to Tooro is unwavering. Our commitment to Uganda is unwavering,” she said. “We will never stop protecting, defending and building his legacy.”
At the centre of the plans is the proposed King Oyo Memorial Foundation, which Kemigisa said would provide a framework for programmes inspired by the late King’s values and interests.
“King Oyo’s legacy will live through the Foundation he inspires,” she said. “It will live through his mother and his sister, Princess Ruth. It will live through his child and the generations that come after us.”
Proposed King Oyo Museum
One of the proposed projects is the King Oyo Tooro Museum, which would preserve personal belongings and other important objects connected to Oyo’s life and reign.
Kemigisa said the museum would also document Tooro’s wider history and culture while supporting tourism in Fort Portal.
She said the project could create opportunities for tour guides, artists, craftspeople, hotels, local businesses and young Ugandans.
Oyo became King at the age of three following the death of his father, Patrick Olimi Kaboyo II, and remained on the throne for 31 years.
His enthronement on September 12, 1995, made him the world’s youngest reigning monarch at the time.
Family revives stadium proposal
Kemigisa also highlighted the proposed King Oyo International Stadium.
She said Oyo had donated approximately 50 acres of land to the government during his lifetime for the development of a stadium and expressed the family’s desire to see the project completed.
According to Kemigisa, the stadium could provide space for young people to develop sporting talent, host competitions and major events, and create opportunities linked to sport.
“The Stadium should help young Ugandans discover and develop sporting talent, give schools and communities a place to compete, host major events, and create careers, discipline, health and opportunity,” she said.
Proposed hospital to focus on cancer and HIV research
Another proposal is the King Oyo Research and Teaching Hospital.
Kemigisa said Oyo’s experience with illness strengthened the family’s determination to contribute to efforts against diseases affecting Ugandans.
She said the proposed facility would combine clinical treatment and medical training with research and early detection, including dedicated cancer and HIV research centres.
“It should treat patients, train Ugandan doctors and health professionals, support research and early detection, and bring world-class partnerships closer to ordinary families,” she said.
She added that helping other families through work carried out in Oyo’s name would give meaning to his legacy.
“If work carried out in my son’s name helps another mother keep her child, then his legacy will have performed one of its greatest acts of service,” she said.
Agriculture project planned at Bugaaki farm
The family also plans to develop Oyo’s existing farm at Bugaaki into a centre for agricultural education, innovation and community outreach.
Kemigisa said the farm could provide opportunities for schools, young people and farmers to learn about modern farming, agribusiness and value addition.
“These projects are not simply monuments bearing King Oyo’s name. They are his legacy put to work for the people,” she said.
“This is how Princess Ruth and I want to mourn King Oyo: not only with tears, but with service.”
Kemigisa urges young Ugandans to pursue their ambitions
The Queen Mother also addressed young Ugandans who admired Oyo during his lifetime.
Drawing from her son’s experience of becoming king as a child, she urged young people not to regard their age as a barrier to leadership, service or achievement.
“Never believe that your age prevents you from serving, leading or making a difference,” she said.
“My son became King when he was only a little boy. He did not choose the enormous responsibility that came to him so early in life, but year after year, I watched him grow into it.”
She encouraged young people to “dream, learn, serve” while keeping faith and service at the centre of their lives.
Kemigisa also reflected on the personal loss of her only son and urged parents to value their children and family relationships.
“I never imagined that I would one day have to stand before the world and speak about my only son in the past tense,” she said. “I would give anything for one more conversation, one more laugh, one more ordinary day with him.”
Succession dispute remains part of Oyo’s legacy
The statement came after a succession dispute emerged during the mourning period.
The Babiito royal clan selected Prince Edward Rukidi Kijanangoma as its preferred successor on September 9, three days before Oyo’s burial.
Kemigisa and other members of the royal family disputed the timing and maintained that Oyo’s wishes regarding succession should be respected.
In her post-burial statement, however, Kemigisa called for a focus on the future and said she did not want anger to determine what comes next.
“We will not allow fear, anger or disappointment to define the future,” she said. “We will continue to seek peace, to respect lawful processes and to trust God with what is beyond our hands.”
She also urged those who supported Oyo’s wishes to remain calm.
“Please, be at peace,” she said. “My son served a living God.”
Kemigisa called on those who loved the late King to support efforts to preserve his legacy.
“Let us build rather than divide. Let us serve rather than fight. Let us give our children something greater than the disagreements of today,” she said.
“My son has finished his earthly journey, but his story has not ended. As long as I have strength, I will continue working for the things my son loved. As long as Princess Ruth and I are here, we will continue protecting his memory and building his legacy.”