How King Oyo’s father died at his palace
The death of King Patrick Matthew Kaboyo Olimi III at his palace in Fort Portal on August 26, 1995, abruptly ended his reign and paved the way for his three year old son, Rukirabasaija Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV, to become the Omukama of Tooro. Olimi III was born on September 9, 1945, at […] The post How King Oyo’s father died at his palace appeared first on Daily Star.
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The death of King Patrick Matthew Kaboyo Olimi III at his palace in Fort Portal on August 26, 1995, abruptly ended his reign and paved the way for his three year old son, Rukirabasaija Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV, to become the Omukama of Tooro.
Olimi III was born on September 9, 1945, at the Royal Palace in Kabarole, the son of Rukirabasaija Sir George David Matthew Kamurasi Rukidi III, who ruled Tooro from 1928 until his death in 1965, and Lady Byanjeru Kezia Bonabana.
He was the younger brother of Princess Elizabeth Bagaya, who was his eldest sister. Olimi III received his early education at Budo Primary School before joining Nyakasura School in Fort Portal. He later studied at Sherborne School in Dorset, England, and Makerere University in Kampala.
Olimi III ascended to the Tooro throne following the death of his father on December 21, 1965. He was crowned at St John’s Cathedral, Kabarole, on March 2, 1966.
His reign, however, was short lived. On September 8, 1967, the government of President Apollo Milton Obote abolished Uganda’s traditional kingdoms, forcing Olimi III into exile.
He spent the next two decades in neighbouring Kenya before returning to Uganda in 1986, when he joined the diplomatic service.
Between 1987 and 1990, Olimi III served as Minister Counsellor at the Ugandan High Commission in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. He was later appointed Uganda’s ambassador to Cuba, a position he held from 1990 until 1993.
His return to the Tooro throne came after the restoration of Uganda’s traditional kingdoms. On July 24, 1993, Olimi III was formally proclaimed Omukama following the restoration of the kingdoms by the government of President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni.
But just two years later, tragedy struck the royal family.
On August 26, 1995, Olimi III died suddenly at his palace in Fort Portal at the age of 49. He suffered a heart attack, bringing his reign to an unexpected end.
His death left the Tooro Kingdom facing an unusual succession. His heir, Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV, was only three years old.
Oyo was subsequently proclaimed Omukama and became one of the youngest monarchs in the world. His coronation on September 12, 1995, attracted international attention, with the young king entering the Guinness World Records as the world’s youngest reigning monarch.
King Oyo went on to reign for more than three decades before his death on August 27, 2026, at the age of 34 while receiving treatment in the United States.
His death has once again placed Tooro’s royal succession and traditions at the centre of national attention, bringing back memories of the sudden death of his father 31 years earlier.
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