The Busoga Kingdom has postponed the 12th coronation anniversary of Isebantu Kyabazinga William Wilberforce Kadhumbula Gabula Nadiope IV to allow Ugandans attend the burial of the late Tooro King, Omukama Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV.
The celebrations, initially scheduled for September 13, 2026, will now be held on Saturday, September 19, at the Mayuge District Headquarters grounds, according to a statement issued by the Office of the Katuukiro on Wednesday, September 2.
The kingdom said the decision was made to honour the fallen Tooro monarch and allow the public to participate in his burial, which would have coincided with Busoga’s coronation anniversary.
The Katuukiro of Busoga, Joseph Muvawala, said the kingdom would also use the upcoming Gabula Day commemoration to pay tribute to King Oyo.
“The ceremony shall be used to eulogise the fallen Omukama of Tooro,” Muvawala said.
Gabula Day, scheduled for September 9 in Buyende, will proceed as planned.
The decision comes as Tooro Kingdom prepares for the return and burial of King Oyo, who died in the United States on August 27 at the age of 34. He had been receiving medical treatment abroad, although the kingdom has not disclosed the cause of his death.
Oyo ascended the Tooro throne in 1995 at the age of three following the death of his father, Omukama Patrick David Matthew Kaboyo Olimi III, becoming one of the world's youngest reigning monarchs. He was formally crowned in 2010 after reaching adulthood.
His death has triggered mourning across Uganda, with cultural institutions, political leaders and members of the public paying tribute to the monarch. Tooro Kingdom has entered a nine-day mourning period as preparations for his final rites continue.
The late king's remains are expected to arrive in Uganda on Thursday, September 3, with President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni expected to receive them at Entebbe International Airport before they are taken to Tooro for the mourning ceremonies.
Tooro Kingdom has also confirmed that the continuity of the crown is assured, with the late king leaving behind a prince whose identity will be formally revealed in accordance with Tooro traditions.
The Busoga Kingdom's rescheduling of the anniversary therefore places the two cultural institutions alongside each other during a period of national mourning, while preserving the opportunity for the people of Busoga to celebrate their Kyabazinga after the Tooro burial ceremonies.