By Joseph Kiggundu
JINJA .Busoga Kingdom has postponed its celebrations to mark the 12th coronation anniversary of His Majesty Isebantu Kyabazinga William Gabula Nadiope IV in honour of the fallen Tooro King, Rukirabasaija Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV.
The celebrations, which had been scheduled for September 13, 2026, have been moved to Saturday, September 19, at Mayuge District Headquarters grounds.
The postponement was announced by the Prime Minister of Busoga Kingdom, Owekitibwa Ekisengede Katuukiro Dr Joseph Muwawala, in a statement issued by the Office of the Katuukiro.
“I would like to inform all the subjects of His Majesty Isebantu Kyabazinga and the general public that the 12th Coronation Anniversary Celebrations slated for 13th September 2026 have been postponed to Saturday 19th September 2026 at Mayuge District Headquarters grounds,” Muwawala said.
King Oyo died on August 26 from a hospital in the US where he had been admitted for a medical condition that has not been officially disclosed.
According to the Katuukiro, the decision was made to honour the late Tooro monarch and allow Ugandans to attend his burial, which coincides with the original date for the Busoga celebrations.
“This has been done to honour and allow all Ugandans attend the burial of the fallen monarch of Obukama bwa Tooro Rukirabasaija Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV which shall coincide with the 12th Coronation Anniversary Celebrations of Isebantu Kyabazinga of Busoga,” the statement reads.
Muwawala, however, clarified that the Gabula Day commemoration scheduled for September 9 in Buyende will proceed as planned.
He said the ceremony would also be used to eulogise the late Tooro King.
“Meanwhile the Gabula Day commemoration marked for the 9th September at Buyende shall go on and the ceremony shall be used to eulogize the fallen Omukama of Tooro,” he said.
Muwawala concluded by paying tribute to the late monarch.
“May the Soul of our departed monarch rest in eternal peace. Busoga Okwiisania Nhamanii.”
The Kingdom of Tooro announced on Wednesday that the body of the deceased monarch would arrive in the country at 10am on Friday instead of the earlier announced Thursday.