Kingdom Prime Minister Calvin Armstrong Rwomiire said the meeting scheduled for Tuesday, September 1, had been postponed indefinitely.
“This is to inform all Abakurasi b’Orukurato Orukuru Orw’Ensanju that the Rukurato meeting scheduled for today, Tuesday, 1st September, has been called off and postponed until further notice,” Rwomiire said.
“A new date will be communicated officially by the Office of the Prime Minister at the appropriate time.”
The development came after some elders expressed concern about Rwomiire’s continued stay in Kampala instead of participating in meetings being held at the palace in Fort Portal.
Rwomiire said he was in Kampala holding discussions with government officials and other authorities over the repatriation and interment of the King.
“At this solemn moment, there can be no greater priority for the Kingdom than bringing our King home and laying him to rest with the dignity, honour and respect befitting His Majesty,” he said.
The premier directed kingdom officials to suspend meetings, debates and other activities that could divert attention from the funeral arrangements.
“I therefore direct that all unnecessary Kingdom meetings, debates and activities that may distract from this responsibility be put aside for now,” he said.
The directive comes as Tooro manages sensitive funeral and succession arrangements following the death of the 34-year-old monarch in the United States.
A 21-member committee operating under Charles Kamurasi, the Musuuga and head of the Babiito clan, was constituted to oversee the cultural rites and identify King Oyo’s successor.
Rwomiire urged kingdom leaders, institutions and the public to exercise restraint and avoid disagreements or speculation during the mourning period.
The meeting had been postponed by Kingdom Prime Minister Calvin Armstrong Rwomiire, but some members led by Babiito royal clan head Omusuga Charles Kamurasi gathered and attempted to proceed
“There will be an appropriate time to address the other matters before the Kingdom,” he said. “This is not that time.”
“For now, our responsibility is clear: bring our King home. Honour him. Lay him to rest with dignity. Stand together as one Tooro. Everything else can wait.”
King Oyo died after battling aggressive brain cancer.
President Yoweri Museveni said the government supported his treatment in Germany before he travelled to the US, where he died.
Museveni granted the King an official burial, with the National Organising Committee coordinating arrangements with Tooro Kingdom and ministers from the region.
Under the funeral protocols announced by the Babiito clan, King Oyo’s body will be transported directly from the airport to Karuziika Palace in Fort Portal.
Tooro’s nine-day official mourning period will begin upon its arrival.
