Princess Ruth Komuntale, sister to the late King Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV, has revealed details of her brother’s battle with Angiosarcoma, a rare and aggressive form of cancer that she said was initially misdiagnosed in Uganda.
Speaking during King Oyo’s burial ceremony at St John’s Cathedral in Fort Portal on Saturday, September 12, 2026, Komuntale remembered her late brother beyond his position as king, describing him as a God-fearing, humble, playful and loving person.
Komuntale said Oyo’s cancer journey began in the middle of October 2025 after he had spent more than a year seeking medical attention in Uganda for different pains.
According to his sister, Oyo was not initially given the correct diagnosis. She said doctors attributed his pain to strenuous exercise or ulcers and advised him to undergo physiotherapy.
By the time the correct diagnosis of Angiosarcoma was made, Komuntale said the cancer had already spread and was affecting multiple organs.
“When this news was shared with us, he cautioned us not to share it with anyone,” she said, explaining that Oyo believed he would recover and did not want to cause panic or fear among his family and the kingdom.
Komuntale said the family respected his wishes and remained hopeful that he would overcome the disease.
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She recalled that after Oyo began receiving the correct treatment, the cancer cells started reducing dramatically and he regained energy, giving the family hope that he would recover.
However, she said things took a difficult turn in mid-July 2026 as the cancer had been in his body for too long and his condition became increasingly difficult despite the treatment he received.
Even during the difficult period, Komuntale said Oyo’s faith remained strong.
“He never stopped praying and reading the word of God,” she said.
Beyond his health struggles, Komuntale remembered Oyo as a brother who loved sports, farming, movies, dancing, eating out and exercise. She said he could spend an hour running on the treadmill and described him as her training partner.
She also recalled his playful side, including his ability to impersonate people and make those around him laugh.
“Beyond the crown, you were my baby brother and my King,” Komuntale said, reflecting on the difficulty of saying goodbye to her younger brother.
She praised her mother, Queen Mother Best Kemigisa, for raising them with love and instilling in them a relationship with God after the loss of their father.
Komuntale also thanked her husband, Phillip, for his support during Oyo’s cancer journey, saying he played a significant role in caring for the late King and supporting the family during his medical appointments.
As she paid her final tribute, Komuntale said she was proud of her brother’s strength and resilience and expressed comfort in believing that he was no longer suffering.
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