Queen Mother Best Kemigisa has delivered an emotional tribute to her late son, King Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV, describing him as a peaceful, kind, prayerful and courageous leader who made history from birth until his death.
Speaking during King Oyo’s burial ceremony at St John’s Cathedral in Fort Portal on Saturday, September 12, 2026, Kemigisa thanked God for her son’s life and reflected on the painful loss of the Tooro monarch.
The Queen Mother said September 12 was significant because it was the day Oyo took the throne and, years later, the same day he was laid to rest.
She praised Oyo’s legacy, saying everything he did was special and that he showed Uganda and Tooro where kings come from.
Kemigisa also paid tribute to President Yoweri Museveni, whom she described not only as Uganda’s President but as a father figure to King Oyo.
She said Museveni played a major role in Oyo’s upbringing, supported his education and took care of him during his illness.
“I thank President Museveni in a special way. He is not just a president. He was a father,” she said.
The Queen Mother also spoke candidly about the pain of losing her son, revealing that she had pleaded with God to take her life before Oyo’s.
“I asked God to take me first. I begged him to take me first when I was in that hospital,” she said.
In an emotional reflection, she recalled telling God that Oyo had been too good to Him and asking why He could not take her instead.
“The king was too good to you, why not take me first who wasn’t as good?” she recalled saying, before adding, “Jesus refused.”
Kemigisa said she had taught Oyo how to pray, but as he grew older, he became the one teaching her and other family members about prayer and scripture.
She said the late King was often referred to as their pastor because of his dedication to studying and teaching the scriptures.
“He was a peaceful man. He was jolly and kind,” she said.
The Queen Mother also called on the people of Tooro to preserve the peace and unity witnessed during the nine days of mourning, saying Oyo loved peace and that his legacy should not be ruined.
She thanked the people of Tooro and Uganda for turning up to mourn the King, as well as members of other kingdoms, government officials, clergy, royal family members and friends who supported the family.
Kemigisa also defended Tooro Prime Minister Calvin Armstrong Rwomiire Akiiki against reports surrounding Oyo’s studies and illness.
She clarified that the late King had indeed been studying online, saying the Prime Minister had not lied about his studies.
According to Kemigisa, Oyo was sick but resumed his online studies whenever he felt better.
She further revealed that Princess Nsemere had explained that when Oyo became sick, he reportedly said that if his illness was mentioned to the Prime Minister, Armstrong would begin crying.
“Prime Minister Armstrong, you loved the king,” Kemigisa said, encouraging him to remain strong.
She also thanked the royal guards, servants, religious leaders, the media and everyone who played a role in caring for and supporting the late King.
As she concluded her tribute, Kemigisa urged the people of Tooro to love one another, follow Oyo’s example and work toward building the nation.
“I wish now to call upon the people of Tooro; to love each other. Our king was a good example. Let us not ruin what he did,” she said.
She ended her speech by leaving mourners with a scripture from Psalm 27.
Related posts:
“My Brother was Misdiagnosed in Uganda, Doctors Treated Something Else”- Princess Komuntale Reveals
“I Begged God To Take Me First” — Queen Mother Kemigisa’s Emotional Tribute To King Oyo
Andrew Mwenda Defends Tooro Succession Process As Royal Dispute Deepens, Says they Did the Right Thing
Queen Mother Best Kemigisa Claims Tooro Royal Family Is Under House Arrest Amid Succession Battle
Who is Queen Juliet K. Mujungu Akiiki? Woman Claimed to be Mother of King Oyo’s Alleged Heir
“Tooro Queen Mother Kemigisha Sold 9,000 Acres of Kingdom Land”- Betty Nambooze
