Tooro Kingdom confirms King Oyo is in critical condition
The Tooro Kingdom has announced that His Majesty King Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV is in a critical condition, following hours of widespread rumours and unverified reports about the monarch's health.
Earlier on Thursday, social media was awash with claims that the Omukama had died while abroad. The reports spread rapidly, triggering anxiety among the people of Tooro and other Ugandans.
At least one news outlet published the death claim based on a source close to the royal family but later acknowledged that it had not independently verified the report and that no official announcement had been issued by the Tooro Kingdom at the time of publication.
As speculation intensified, State Minister for National Guidance Balaam Barugahara publicly dismissed the reports of King Oyo's death, saying the Omukama was alive but unwell and receiving medical care in the United States.
A subsequent communication attributed to Tooro Kingdom Prime Minister Calvin Armstrong Rwomire Akiiki confirmed that King Oyo is currently in a critical condition.
“At this difficult time, we humbly ask the people of Tooro and our friends to keep His Majesty in your prayers,” the communication said.
The statement appealed for calm and urged the public to refrain from speculation and the sharing of unverified information regarding the King's condition.
Thursday's developments represent a significant shift from the Kingdom's last major public communication on the matter.
On August 3, the Tooro Kingdom dismissed reports concerning King Oyo's health as false and misleading. The Kingdom said at the time that the Omukama was in good health and abroad undertaking official engagements while continuing with his studies.
The Kingdom had also urged the public to reject rumours and rely only on information released through its official channels.
Three weeks later, fresh speculation over the King's health resurfaced, culminating in unverified reports claiming that he had died. Those claims have not been confirmed by the Tooro Kingdom.
Instead, the latest communication confirms that King Oyo is alive and in a critical condition.
The circumstances surrounding his illness, including its cause and the medical facility where he is receiving treatment, have not been officially disclosed in the latest Kingdom communication.
The people of Tooro and the wider public are now awaiting further official updates as concern grows over the health of the 34-year-old monarch.
