Rukidi IV of Toro

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 world's 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, what is now Uganda was composed of sovereign kingdoms and societies headed by chiefs and clan leaders. Whereas most societies in Uganda such as communities in its north and northeastern were loosely set up systems led by clan leaders, others like Bunyoro, Buganda, Ankole and Toro were organised kingdoms.

In 1966, the political powers of the traditional leaders were abolished by the nationalist movement led by Milton Obote, who opposed the kings because of their collaboration with British colonial authorities alongside their potential to be divisive forces and thus a threat to the nascent republic. The 1970s and 1980s were characterised by political instability and civil unrest, which led to 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 the regime of terror. It was not until 1986 that President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, by an amendment to the constitution in 1993, reinstated the kingdoms. The kingdoms would never enjoy the sovereignty it had in pre-colonial times, but they would be instrumental in mobilising the country towards social and economic recovery.