Rukidi IV of Toro

Rukirabasaija Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi
Omukama of Toro
Reign	12 November 1995 - present (&1000000000000001600000016 years, &1000000000000001200000012 days)
Coronation	17 April 2010(2010-04-17) (aged 18)
Predecessor	Olimi III
Father	Olimi III of Toro
Mother	Best Kemigisa
Born	16 April 1992 (1992-04-16) (age 19) Uganda

Rukirabasaija Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV, King Oyo, is the reigning Omukama of Toro, in Uganda. He was born on 16 April 1992 to King Patrick David Mathew Kaboyo Olimi III and Queen Best Kemigisa Kaboyo. Three and half years later in 1995, Oyo ascended the throne and succeeded his father to become the 12th ruler of the 180 year old Kingdom of Toro. He is currently the youngest ruling monarch, taking the place of previous record holder, King Mswati of Swaziland who was crowned at 18 years of age.

Background

In pre colonial times, Uganda was made up of Kingdoms and societies headed by chiefs and clan leaders. Whereas most societies in Uganda, like the North and North eastern communities were loosely set up systems led by clan leaders, others like Bunyoro, Buganda, Ankole and Toro were organised Kingdoms.

In 1966, political powers of the traditional leaders were abolished in post independent Uganda by the Nationalist movement led by Milton Obote who despised the Kings because of their collaboration with the colonial authorities. The Nationalists further considered the traditional leaders divisive and a threat to the growing republic. Later, the 70's and 80's were characterised by political instability and civil unrest leading with serious repercussions for the cultural institutions. Many of the leaders like the Kabaka Mutesa of Buganda and Omukama Patrick Kaboyo of Toro were forced into exile to escape regime of terror. It was not until 1986 that President Museveni, by an amendment to the constitution in 1993, reinstated Kingdoms. The Kingdoms would never enjoy the sovereignty of pre colonial times, but they would be instrumental in mobilising the country towards social and economic recovery.

The Kingdom

Toro with its capital Fort Portal lies in the south western part of present day Uganda. The people of Toro are called Batoro and make up 3.2 percent of the population of Uganda which stands at 24.4 million in the 2002 census. The Kingdom is ruled by the Babiito dynasty whose origins go as far back as the 14th century. According to oral history, Prince Olimi Kaboyo Kasunsunkwanzi, son of the King of Bunyoro annexed the southern part of his father's Kingdom in 1822 and founded what is known as Toro today.^[1]

Title

Oyo Nyimba is referred to as the Omukama which means King and Rukirabasaija, the greatest of men. Although he is considered the sovereign leader of the Batooro, Oyo Nyimba's power is limited to cultural duties.

Coronation

The untimely death of his father King Kaboyo in 1995 meant the Crown Prince had to take his place as King during his toddler years. On the 12th September 1995, a week after his father's burial, the rituals to hand over the reins of power to Oyo began at 2 a.m. They included a mock battle at the palace entrance fought between enemy forces of a “rebel” prince and the royal army and a test of Oyo's divine right to the throne. The Omusuga, head of the royal clan, called on the gods to strike Oyo dead if he was not of royal blood. On passing the test, Oyo was permitted to sound the Nyalebe, a sacred Chwezi drum as his forefathers had done. He was then blessed with the blood of a slaughtered bull and a white hen.

At 4 a.m, Oyo was crowned King amidst a jubilating crowd and entered the palace as the new ruler of the Kingdom of Toro. He was served his first meal as King which consisted of millet dough, sat in the lap of a virgin girl and swore allegiance to the Crown while lying on his side, on the ground.

The cultural rituals were followed by a religious ceremony presided over by the Anglican Bishop, Eustance Kamanyire. The President of Uganda, Yoweri Kaguta Museveni attended the coronation celebrations and paid tribute to the new King.

Regency

To help him rule, King Oyo has three regents charged with grooming and overseeing his growth into the role of King. The regents handle the affairs of the Kingdom until Oyo turns 18. At the time of his coronation, the three regents included his mother, Queen Best (the Queen Mother), Princess Elizabeth Bagaaya, his Aunt and Godmother and President Yoweri Museveni.

Another significant patron of the Kingdom of Toro with close ties to the royal family is Libya's President Muamar Gaddafi. The young King Oyo named Gaddafi the “defender” of the Kingdom and invited him to attend the 6th coronation anniversary celebrations in 2001. Gaddafi has been more than generous in his support of Toro through donations, such as the newly refurbished Palace in Fort Portal which cost approximately $200,000.

Charity and Development projects

One of the main duties of the King is to lobby for donations for economic and social welfare projects for the wellbeing of his subjects. These include health, education, economic and cultural projects. The latter is important to build the people's confidence in the King and promote strong cultural identity. Supported by his regents and family, Oyo travels the world seeking foreign assistance for the development of Toro. Most recently, Oyo received 100 wheelchairs on behalf of the Kingdom which were distributed to five regions of Toro. Other humanitarian projects are endorsed by the Kingdom through the Batebe Foundation of Toro which runs a special education fund for needy children.

Education

Aside from his official duties, King Oyo goes to school and has time to play with his friends. However, his status dictates that he goes to private school and has a personal security guard at all times. Oyo spent two years in London and attended preschool there. He is currently at the International School of Uganda and says he enjoys art, music, math, and swimming.

Photos

• Photo of King Oyo Nyimba Rukidi IV at Age 18 (2010)

Succession table

Preceded by Patrick David Matthew Koboyo Olimi III

King of Toro 1995 – Present

Succeeded by Incumbent

References

1. ^ The Kingdom of Toro was established in 1822

External links

	Uganda portal
	Biography portal

• Toro Kingdom Official Website
• Karimi, Faith. African teen king lives dual life - CNN - 16 March 2010
• "Ugandan child king honours Gaddafi." BBC. 16 July 2001.
• Outreach to Africa - The Wheelchair Story Uganda 2004
• The New Vision (Uganda), 3rd March 2006
• [1]

Rukidi IV of Toro 16 April
Regnal titles
Preceded by Olimi III of Toro	Omukama of Toro 12 September 1995 –	Incumbent Heir: Prince James Mugenyi

Persondata
Name	Rukidi 04 Of Toro
Alternative names
Short description
Date of birth	16 April 1992
Place of birth	Uganda
Date of death	17 April 2010
Place of death