BUYENDE DISTRICT — The Kyabazinga of Busoga, His Majesty William Gabula Nadiope IV, led Busoga in mourning the late Omukama of Tooro, Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV, during the 26th Gabula Day celebrations at Kitaidhumba Community Primary School in Buyende District. Flags of Uganda, the East African Community and Busoga Kingdom flew at half-mast, while kingdom officials wore traditional attire in honour of the fallen monarch. The Kyabazinga prayed for comfort for the people of Tooro, the Babiito royal clan and mourners, quoting Matthew 5:4.
Busoga Katuukiro, Dr. Joseph Muvawala, called for a one-minute silence and announced that he would lead a 10-member Busoga delegation, alongside Prince Richard Gabula, to Fort Portal for the late king’s burial. The tribute reflected the cultural ties and solidarity between the Busoga and Tooro kingdoms following the monarch’s death.
The celebrations also highlighted Busoga’s development agenda, with the Kyabazinga breaking ground for a new school block at Kitaidhumba Primary School. The kingdom reported supporting farmers with 280,000 tissue-culture banana plantlets, cassava cuttings and goats, while youth have benefited from vocational training and elderly residents from modern housing.
Minister for the Presidency, Milly Babirye Babalanda, commended the Kyabazinga for championing grassroots development and improving livelihoods across Busoga. She also extended condolences to the Tooro Kingdom, as the celebrations combined a tribute to Omukama Oyo with renewed efforts in education, agriculture, youth empowerment and community development.
