By Venesa Namusabi
The Ugandan motorsport and rugby fraternities have been plunged into deep mourning following the tragic passing of the King of Tooro Kingdom, His Majesty Omukama Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV.
The revered 34-year-old monarch passed away on Thursday evening at approximately 10:00 p.m., leaving behind an immeasurable loss felt across the Royal Family, the people of Tooro, and the entire nation of Uganda.
Beyond his profound cultural leadership, King Oyo was a passionate, hands-on pillar of Ugandan sports development. His unwavering commitment to the sports fraternity was highlighted by a visionary promise to allocate prime kingdom land to support the establishment of permanent, modern sports infrastructure.
The Omukama’s deep affection for motorsport was legendary. He famously crossed over into active participation when he stepped into the cockpit to navigate for veteran national rally driver Ronald Ssebuguzi during a high-octane power stage of the UMC Fort Portal Rally at the Kyakaigo Sports Arena.
His sporting patronage extended significantly into rugby. After hosting and motivating the senior men’s national rugby sevens team, the King pledged land to build a dedicated rugby training facility. He was also a champion of grassroots rugby in the region, offering vital patronage to the Tooro Lions Rugby Club to bolster talent identification outside Kampala.
United Motorsport Club president Johnson Were lauded the Omukama for the love he hard for motorsport.
‘The Omukama loved motorsport and his love for motorsport shall be missed. With him the future of Motorsport was more bright,” Were said.The sports community joins the rest of the nation in sending condolences to the Queen Mother, the Royal Family, and the subjects of Tooro Kingdom.
Hangiriza Agutamba. Omukama Atulize. Enkuba Etutire.
