Motorsport mourns King Oyo, the royal who once got behind the wheel
King Nyimba Kabamba iguru with Ronald Sseguzi in 2024
Uganda's motorsport community is mourning the death of Tooro's King Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV, a royal patron whose support helped give the sport a home in the Tooro region and whose unexpected turn behind the wheel of a rally car remains a lasting memory for those who witnessed it.
King Oyo, 34, died on Thursday evening at approximately 10:00 p.m., according to a statement issued by Tooro Kingdom Prime Minister Calvin Rwomiire Akiiki.
"It is with profound sadness and a heavy heart that I announce the passing of His Majesty the Omukama of Tooro, King Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV, at approximately 10:00 p.m. this evening," Rwomiire said.
For Uganda's motorsport community, King Oyo was more than a royal patron. He was an active supporter of the sport and, on one memorable occasion, took to the wheel himself. During a 2024 rally event in Fort Portal, King Oyo served as the route opener for the Super Special Stage, driving a blue Subaru Forester. His appearance behind the wheel surprised many spectators and competitors, particularly given the pace he set on the stage.
Two time NRC champion Ponsiano Lwakataka was among those who witnessed the royal drive and remembers the moment fondly.
"Unfortunately, I did not finish that event after blowing my engine, but the King did. I had actually asked the organisers to allow me to drive with him, but it did not happen, instead the chance was given to the previous champion Ronald Sebuguzi," Lwakataka said.
For 2022 NRC champion Byron Rugomoka, popularly known as "Akiki," the loss is deeply personal. A son of Tooro soil, Rugomoka says the King's support for motorsport and other sporting activities made him an important figure in the community.
"It hurts deeply knowing that I never won an event in Fort Portal during his lifetime. That is something I will carry with me for the rest of my life. The closest I came was when I was almost certain of victory, only to blow three tyres during the race after most of the big guns had dropped out. It was one of the most painful moments of my career," Rugomoka recalled with emotion.
Another memorable encounter came in 2024 when motorsport organiser Raynold Kibira had the opportunity to meet King Oyo during a rally event. Kibira recalls being granted a rare opportunity to experience a ride in a rally car, an experience he says remains one of his most treasured moments in motorsport.
"I felt privileged when he accepted my request to be driven in a standard rally car," Kibira said. He added that from that point on, the kingdom strengthened its support for the sport.
King Oyo's involvement helped strengthen the relationship between Tooro and motorsport, with the kingdom regularly hosting rally events across the region. The events have not only provided competition for drivers but have also contributed to promoting tourism and economic activity through sport.
His death comes just days before the fifth round of the National Rally Championship, scheduled to start on September 4 in Kyenjojo and Kamwenge, areas that form part of the wider Tooro region. The rally fraternity now heads into the event with a heavy heart, remembering a young King who did not merely watch motorsport from the sidelines but occasionally got behind the wheel himself.
As tributes continue to pour in, many in the sport remember King Oyo for his warmth, support and willingness to embrace Uganda's sporting community. For motorsport, his passing marks the loss of a royal patron whose unexpected appearance behind the wheel created a lasting memory for those lucky enough to witness it.
