news 16 September 2026 Daily Monitor (Uganda)
Babiito Clan Defends Actions During King Oyo's Burial Amid MoU Breach Claims
The Babiito royal clan has explained their actions during the recent burial of Omukama Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV, stating their priority was to uphold traditional burial rites despite a memorandum of understanding. The clan emphasized their goal was to ensure the late king was buried with the dignity befitting his predecessors. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/babiito-explain-burial-mou-breach-our-mission-was-to-bury-oyo-as-a-king--5596706
Members of the Babiito royal clan have stepped forward to clarify their role and actions during the recent burial of Omukama Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV. They assert that their primary objective throughout the process was to ensure the traditional burial rites were meticulously followed, allowing the late king’s body to depart from Karuziika Palace, proceed to church, and ultimately be laid to rest at the Karambi Royal Tombs.
This explanation comes in response to discussions surrounding alleged breaches of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that reportedly stipulated a moratorium on succession-related activities during the mourning period. The clan acknowledges the existence of the MoU but stresses that their focus remained steadfast on honoring the deceased monarch.
Fr. Charles Oyo, a spokesperson for the Babiito clan and a member of the 21-person succession committee, articulated the clan’s position. He stated that while the MoU was indeed signed, the overriding concern was to guarantee that Omukama Oyo received the same traditional burial protocols afforded to all previous Tooro kings. The clan’s mission, as they describe it, was to ensure the burial was conducted with the utmost respect and adherence to long-standing customs.
The clan’s representatives maintain that their actions were driven by a deep commitment to preserving the cultural and traditional integrity of the Tooro kingdom’s royal burial ceremonies. They sought to ensure that the transition of their king, even in death, was handled in a manner that honored his lineage and the kingdom’s heritage.