The rituals that will define King Oyo’s burial and succession

[Da Dona]

As Tooro prepares to bid farewell to Omukama Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV today, Saturday, September 12, his burial will go beyond the Christian service at St John’s Cathedral in Fort Portal.

The final rites at the Karambi Royal Tombs will also involve ancient Babiito rituals that, according to the clan, will mark the end of Oyo’s reign and form part of the traditional process through which his successor emerges.

Oyo, who died on August 27 after nearly 31 years on the throne, will be buried at Karambi, the traditional burial ground for Tooro’s kings.

He will be the fourth king to be buried at the royal tombs, following David Kyebambe Kasagama, Sir George David Kamurasi Rukidi III and Patrick Mathew Kaboyo Olimi.

According to Moses Musinguzi, spokesperson for the Babiito clan and a member of the communication committee under the office of Omujwera Musuuga, the burial will be guided by both Christian and traditional practices.
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“The burial will be governed by rituals. It will not only be a church service. The church will play its part, but after the service, the body will be taken to Karambi Royal Tombs, where the traditional rituals will take place,” he said.​

From Karuziika Palace to Karambi
Oyo’s body was returned to Karuziika Palace on September 4, where it has remained during nine days of mourning and traditional observances.

Today, the body is expected to leave the palace at 8:15am for St John’s Cathedral, where the church service will begin at 9am.

After the service, the procession will proceed to Karambi Royal Tombs, where the body, traditionally referred to as Omuguta, will be taken into the royal burial grounds known as Gasani.

Nine calls at the royal gate
As the procession reaches the entrance to Gasani, the head of the ritualists, known as Omusuuna, will identify himself to the person responsible for the royal tombs, known as the Katikiro of Gasani, and request permission to enter with the king’s body.

The call will be made nine times.
According to Musinguzi, permission will only be granted on the ninth call, reflecting the significance of the number nine in Tooro’s traditional practices.

Where Christianity meets tradition
Once inside Gasani, church leaders will pray near the prepared grave, known as Iziba.

After the prayers, the clergy and members of the public will leave the area, allowing the ritualists to conduct private ceremonies that are not intended for public viewing.

The Royal Grave
The grave has two levels, with the lower section prepared for the king’s body.

It is at this point that the burial ritual will intersect directly with the traditional succession process.

Nine coffee beans and the next king
After the clergy leaves, Omujwera Musuuga will bring the prince expected to succeed Oyo.

The prince will receive nine coffee beans from Omusuuna and place them into the grave one by one.

According to Musinguzi, the act symbolises the prince participating in the burial of the outgoing king before assuming the throne.

Under the traditional process described by the Babiito, the prince who performs this ritual becomes the new Omukama in the traditional sense, although his formal enthronement will come later.

After leaving the royal tombs, Omujwera Musuuga will hand the king-in-waiting to his maternal uncle.

The uncle will take him to a private and undisclosed location, where he will remain under protection until the day of his coronation.

Nine more days before enthronement
Traditionally, the burial of a king, known as Okutabaza, is followed by another nine days of rituals and preparations before the new Omukama is enthroned.

However, Musinguzi says the Babiito may adjust the timetable because the kingdom has already spent considerable time mourning Oyo since his death.
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“Traditionally, after the burial of the king, Okutabaza, they are supposed to spend an additional nine days preparing for the enthronement of the king. But the Babiito may decide to make changes because people have already spent many days mourning,” he said.​

Oyo’s burial will therefore mark not only the end of his reign, but also a significant stage in the traditional process of identifying, protecting and preparing Tooro’s next king.​