The Minister for the Presidency and Member of Parliament for Budiope West Constituency, Hon. Babirye Milly Babalanda, has joined Deputy Speaker of Parliament Rt. Hon. Thomas Tayebwa, government dignitaries, cultural leaders, and thousands of mourners in paying their last respects to the late King of Tooro, His Majesty Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV.

The solemn funeral service was held at St. John’s Cathedral in Fort Portal, where thousands of Ugandans from all walks of life gathered to honour and bid farewell to the fallen monarch.

In a statement shared on her official X account, Minister Babalanda described the late King Oyo as a historic figure who will be remembered in world records as the youngest reigning monarch.

“His Majesty King Oyo ascended the throne at just three years old after the death of his father and ruled Tooro for nearly three decades,” Babalanda noted.

“King Oyo’s death was an immeasurable loss to the Tooro Kingdom and Uganda at large.”, she added

Minister Babalanda expressed profound gratitude to His Excellency President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni for standing with the Tooro Kingdom during its darkest hour.

“On behalf of the National Organising Committee, I wish to express our deepest and most heartfelt gratitude to His Excellency President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni for according His Majesty King Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV a befitting official burial,” she posted.

Minister Babalanda further stated that President Museveni personally catered for the expenses associated with the King’s illness and final journey, including his medical treatment in the United States, chartering the flight that returned his body to Entebbe, and the organisation of his official send-off.

She also commended President Museveni for personally being present at Entebbe International Airport to receive the King’s body. At the airport, the President laid a wreath and bowed before the casket, which was draped in both the national flag and the Tooro Kingdom flag.

“His personal presence spoke volumes about his respect for the institution of the Tooro Kingdom and traditional institutions in Uganda. This gesture comforted the entire Tooro fraternity and all Ugandans who cherished King Oyo,” Babalanda said.

According to the Minister, President Museveni’s decision to accord King Oyo an official burial is a testament to his commitment to national unity, culture, and the dignity of Uganda’s traditional institutions.

Minister Babalanda appealed to the people of Tooro to remain united, calm, and prayerful during this difficult period. She also urged the Batooro to preserve and build upon the legacy left behind by the late monarch.

She concluded her tribute with a message of hope from Scripture: “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” — Psalm 34:18

King Oyo, who died on August 27 in the United States at the age of 34, was buried today at the Karambi Royal Tombs in Fort Portal. He will be remembered for his long reign, his role in the continuity of the Tooro Kingdom, and his contribution to modern cultural leadership.

May His Majesty King Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV rest in eternal peace.

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PRESIDENT MUSEVENI URGES EUROPEAN INVESTORS TO TAP INTO UGANDA’S ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITIES

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has urged European investors to take advantage of Uganda’s economic opportunities, particularly in infrastructure, energy, manufacturing and agriculture, saying investment in productive sectors is key to expanding markets, creating jobs and accelerating economic transformation. The President made the remarks today at State House Entebbe during a meeting with European Union Ambassadors and investors, where he highlighted Africa’s growing population and expanding market as a major opportunity for European businesses seeking investment and stronger economic partnerships. “This is what we have been advising our European friends to look at, because Africa is a big potential market with its fast-growing population,” he said. President Museveni attributed political instability in some African countries partly to identity-based politics, including tribalism, religious divisions and ideological misunderstandings, as well as a failure to appreciate the role of the private sector in driving economic growth. He said Uganda had learnt from these challenges and emphasised the need for a stable political and economic environment that enables private businesses to invest, expand production and create employment. The President welcomed ongoing and proposed European investments in Uganda, particularly in infrastructure and other productive sectors, saying such projects would strengthen economic links between Uganda and the European market. “All these projects are music to my ears. By constructing these projects here, you are linking the market of Uganda to that of Europe. Why can’t anyone see that?” he asked. On energy, President Museveni said the cost of electricity remained a critical factor in Uganda’s competitiveness, particularly for manufacturers seeking to produce goods at affordable prices. While welcoming private-sector investment in hydropower generation, he called for greater attention to electricity tariffs, arguing that affordable power was essential for industrial expansion and economic growth. He identified affordable electricity, railway transport and accessible financing for productive investments as key priorities for strengthening Uganda’s manufacturing sector. The President cited the Uganda Development Bank as an important source of financing for businesses engaged in productive activities, explaining that the government had retained the institution to support investments capable of expanding production and creating jobs. He also urged the European Investment Bank to channel more financing into strategic infrastructure, particularly railway development, electricity generation and distribution, and selected road projects. On road infrastructure, President Museveni encouraged European investors to explore opportunities in construction and financing models, including tolling arrangements where appropriate. The President also reaffirmed the government’s support for tax incentives aimed at attracting investment, particularly in manufacturing, and emphasised the importance of enabling eligible businesses to benefit from a 10-year tax holiday. ...

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