President Yoweri Museveni has revealed that he learnt about the cancer illness of the late Tooro King Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV as early as November 2025, several months before the monarch passed away. Museveni made the revelation while mourning the death of the cultural leader and reflecting on the final period of his life.

Museveni disclosed the information on Friday as the remains of King Oyo arrived at Entebbe International Airport from the United States. The President was among the leaders and mourners who received the body of the late king as it began its final journey back to Uganda and eventually to Tooro Kingdom.

According to Museveni, he was informed about Oyo’s condition while he was busy with his political campaign activities in 2025. The President said that although the information was known to him, the details surrounding the King’s illness were not made public at the time.

The revelation provides a new picture of the late monarch’s final months, particularly because members of the public had largely been told that King Oyo was abroad for studies and was doing well. The King’s health condition remained a private matter until his death was officially announced by Tooro Kingdom authorities.

King Oyo died on August 27, 2026, at the age of 34 after receiving medical treatment in the United States. His death brought an end to a remarkable reign that had lasted for more than three decades and made him one of the most recognised traditional leaders in Uganda.

The announcement of his death was made by Tooro Kingdom Prime Minister Calvin Armstrong Rwomiire Akiiki. At the time, the Prime Minister said that the King had been in critical condition before his death, confirming that his health situation had been more serious than many members of the public had known.

The news of Oyo’s death shocked many Ugandans, especially because the public had continued to receive limited information about his health. His long absence from the kingdom had generated questions, but the official explanation had largely focused on his studies and activities abroad.

Days after the King’s death, Prime Minister Rwomiire explained why the kingdom had chosen not to disclose details about Oyo’s illness. He said that the decision was based on the late monarch’s wishes and that those serving him had a responsibility to respect his privacy.

Rwomiire explained that the information that King Oyo was abroad for studies and doing well had been communicated in accordance with the wishes of the late monarch. He maintained that the decision was intended to respect Oyo’s personal wishes during a difficult period in his life.

The Prime Minister also said that he had faithfully carried out his responsibility by protecting the King’s privacy. His explanation came amid public discussion about why the seriousness of Oyo’s health condition had not been revealed earlier.

According to Rwomiire, King Oyo had remained hopeful about his recovery and had looked forward to returning to Uganda. He reportedly hoped to reunite with his subjects and participate in the 31st Empango celebrations, an important cultural event in Tooro Kingdom.

The explanation offered by the Prime Minister has added context to the decision to keep information about Oyo’s condition private. It also shows that those close to the monarch were aware of his hopes of recovering and returning home to continue his responsibilities as Omukama.

Rwomiire has also appealed to the public to avoid turning the mourning period into a debate over the circumstances surrounding the King’s final days. He said that there would be an appropriate time and forum to discuss such questions after the burial.

Museveni’s revelation that he had known about the cancer diagnosis since November 2025 is therefore likely to generate further public interest in the King’s final months. It also confirms that knowledge about his illness existed among some senior leaders even though it was not publicly disclosed.

The arrival of King Oyo’s remains at Entebbe marked another emotional moment for Uganda and Tooro Kingdom. His body is expected to be taken to Tooro, where cultural and traditional funeral ceremonies will be conducted before he is laid to rest at the royal tombs.

King Oyo’s journey to the throne began when he was only three years old. He became Omukama of Tooro in 1995 following the death of his father, King Patrick David Matthew Kaboyo Olimi III, beginning a reign that would eventually span almost 31 years.

Because of his young age at the time of his accession, Oyo became known internationally as the world’s youngest reigning monarch. His childhood on the throne attracted attention far beyond Uganda and made him a unique figure in the history of modern traditional monarchies.

During his early years as king, the responsibilities of the monarchy were handled under a regency because of his age. As he grew older, however, Oyo gradually assumed greater personal responsibility and became increasingly involved in the affairs and development of Tooro Kingdom.

Over the years, King Oyo became one of Uganda’s most recognisable cultural leaders. His reign covered a major period of social and cultural change in Tooro, while his public appearances and royal responsibilities made him a familiar figure to many Ugandans.

As Tooro prepares to lay its king to rest, attention will now turn to the traditional funeral ceremonies and the next chapter in the kingdom’s history. Museveni’s revelation about learning of Oyo’s cancer in November 2025 has added another important detail to the story of the late monarch’s final months, while his death continues to be mourned across Uganda and beyond.