King Oyo of Tooro, a tribal monarch in Uganda, has died at the age of 34, just hours before Norway’s King Harald passed away. Oyo ascended his ancient throne as an infant and fascinated world leaders as a boy king.
Death announced by Prime Minister
His death was announced early on Friday by Prime Minister Calvin Rwomiire Akiiki. He said: “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.”
The death, which occurred at around 10pm on Thursday, has shocked many Ugandans who didn’t know the king was being treated for an unknown illness abroad, and tributes were issued on Friday.
Authorities had assured Ugandans
Tooro authorities had assured Ugandans that Oyo remained alive but in critical condition, forcing many Ugandans to suddenly come to terms with his death at a relatively young age.
“This is very difficult to comprehend,” Deputy Parliament Speaker Thomas Tayebwa said.
Coronated in 1995
King Oyo, as he was best known, was coronated in 1995 at the age of 3 after his father’s death. At his coronation, he went through a series of tribal rituals and emerged as King Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV.
King Harald of Norway passed away at the age of 89 early on Friday morning. Oyo held the unofficial title of the world’s youngest king.
Still unmarried at his death
Still unmarried at his death, he was widely seen as Uganda’s most eligible bachelor. Tooro is one of the ancient kingdoms of Uganda. Although they have no political authority and are legally prohibited from engaging in partisan politics, monarchs serve as guardians of tribal culture.
The seat of Oyo's kingdom is a remote city in western Uganda near the border with Congo. Oyo's people are known as the Batooro.
