By Joseph Mary Buwule
Princess Ruth Komuntale, sister to the late King Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV, has remembered her younger brother as a God-fearing, loving and humble man whose life extended far beyond the responsibilities and expectations of the Tooro throne.
Speaking during the farewell ceremony for the late King Oyo, Princess Komuntale said it remained difficult for the family to accept that they had gathered to bid farewell to her “baby brother” and king.
She said that, beyond the crown, King Oyo was first and foremost her brother—a quiet and reserved person who, once he opened up, could keep his family entertained with stories.
“As I collect my thoughts to write this farewell to my brother, I still find it very difficult to believe that we are here today, literally saying goodbye to my baby brother,” she said.
Princess Komuntale said some of her most treasured memories were from their childhood, when the siblings would reminisce about growing up and the mischievous things they did that often tested their mother’s patience.
She particularly recalled their Christmas journeys to Fort Portal, where their mother would tell them funny stories that left the children laughing uncontrollably.
“My brother and I loved reminiscing about the good old days, about growing up as children, and all the ways we used to make Mama run for her money,” she recalled.
According to Princess Komuntale, King Oyo also had a remarkable sense of humour and an ability to imitate people, including their voices, mannerisms and styles of speaking.
She said the personality of the man who sat on the Tooro throne was not always visible to the public, describing him as someone who knew how to make people laugh and brighten the lives of those around him.
Princess Komuntale said King Oyo could even imitate Archbishop Stephen Kaziimba Mugalu, although she stressed that he did so affectionately.
“He had a gift for making people laugh, and he always knew how to brighten my day,” she said.
Despite being younger, Princess Komuntale said King Oyo often behaved like an older brother, particularly after the death of their father.
She said he appeared to carry a strong sense of responsibility for protecting his mother and sister, even though he was the younger sibling.
“Although my brother was younger than me, he often acted as though he were the older sibling. I suppose that was his way of being a man—a brother who felt he had to protect Mama and me,” she said.
The Princess also remembered a childhood filled with family, cousins, pets and games. She said they enjoyed playing with their dogs and taking part in children’s games, allowing King Oyo to retain the innocence and joy of childhood despite being crowned king at a young age.
She said that whenever the pressures of the monarchy were put aside, King Oyo remained a young man who loved to have fun.
Beyond his royal duties, Princess Komuntale described her brother as a passionate sportsman and farmer who loved animals, particularly his cows.
She also highlighted his deep Christian faith and intellectual curiosity.
According to his sister, King Oyo spent time writing in his journal, studying Scripture and reflecting deeply on the meaning of biblical passages.
“He never stopped learning. He was curious about the world around him, especially when he encountered something he knew little about. He was always researching. Always. He just loved learning,” she said.
Princess Komuntale said King Oyo’s life combined duty with personal interests that helped him remain connected to the ordinary joys of life.
He loved going to the cinema, occasionally going dancing and spending time with friends and family.
She also remembered him as a committed fitness enthusiast and recalled their shared workout sessions.
“He could spend an hour running on the treadmill and then follow with a serious strength training session. I’m going to miss my workout partner. We had great times working out together,” she said.
For Princess Komuntale, the late King’s life could be summed up in a few words: he worked hard, learned, prayed, played and loved his family.
“So that was my brother. He worked. He learned. He prayed. He played. He loved his family, and he lived,” she said.
She described her brother’s life as one that had left behind a legacy that would continue beyond his reign.
Princess Komuntale said that if she had five minutes with King Oyo, she would tell him how proud she was of the strength and resilience he demonstrated throughout the different seasons of his life.
She would also tell him how much she loved him and ask whether he had met their late father and their sister Celia.
“I would ask him, ‘Have you had a chance to see Dad and our sister Celia, and what was it like to finally see them again?’” she said.
For the Princess, the thought offered some comfort amid the pain of losing her brother.
She said that after everything King Oyo endured during his lifetime, she found comfort in the belief that he was no longer suffering.
Princess Komuntale’s farewell offered a deeply personal portrait of a King who, despite carrying one of Uganda’s most prominent traditional titles, remained in the eyes of his sister the same playful younger brother with whom she shared childhood memories, family jokes, faith, laughter and life.
As Tooro and Uganda mourned the passing of their King, Princess Komuntale’s words reminded mourners that behind the crown was a son, brother, farmer, sportsman, believer, learner and friend whose greatest legacy, for his family, was not only the throne he occupied but the life and memories he shared with those closest to him.