King Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV, who became the world’s youngest reigning monarch after ascending the throne at the age of three, has died at 34. The death of the Omukama of Tooro, a traditional kingdom in western Uganda, was announced by the kingdom’s Prime Minister, Calvin Armstrong Rwomiire……
King Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV, who became the world’s youngest reigning monarch after ascending the throne at the age of three, has died at 34.
The death of the Omukama of Tooro, a traditional kingdom in western Uganda, was announced by the kingdom’s Prime Minister, Calvin Armstrong Rwomiire Akiiki, in a post on X late Thursday.
“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,” Akiiki said.
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He said the king died at about 10:00 p.m. local time on Thursday but did not disclose the cause of death.
Rukidi IV became king on September 12, 1995, following the death of his father, Rukirabasaija Patrick David Matthew Kaboyo Olimi III.
Although Uganda operates as a republic under an elected president, the country retains several traditional monarchies that continue to oversee their kingdoms in the form in which they existed before colonial rule.
While the monarchies have largely symbolic political roles, their rulers retain significant cultural and social influence among their people.
Tooro Kingdom is located in western Uganda, near the border with the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Before news of his death was announced, Uganda’s Minister Balaam Barugahara said the monarch was receiving medical treatment in the United States.
Akiiki described the king’s death as “an immeasurable loss”, adding that although Rukidi IV was unmarried, he had left an heir.
He said “continuity of the Crown is assured.”
