The king of Toro, Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV, the youngest reigning monarch in the world, has finally come of age.

He has taken over the running of his kingdom, singling out illiteracy and HIV/Aids as the major issues facing the people. 

He took the reins of power from his regents on April 17, 2010, at a colourful coronation festival (Empango).
This coincided with his 18th birthday ceremony that involved a number of traditional rituals at Fort Portal town, the headquarters of the kingdom.  

The empango, which has been an annual event since King Oyo came to the throne more than 15 years ago, has been one of the area’s biggest tourist attractions ever since Oyo became the world’s youngest monarch.

“I would like to see the youth in my kingdom have a bright future free of HIV/Aids,” King Oyo told The EastAfrican.
He added: “I plan to open more hospitals, which will encourage regular check-ups and sticking to one partner to reduce the threat of HIV/Aids.” 

King Oyo, who stands at 6 feet, exhibits gentleness, humility and dignity. He said: “My plans are to reduce the illiteracy levels in Toro through promotion of education and construction of social facilities.” 

Toro Kingdom is on the slopes of Mount Rwenzori in Western Uganda. It has close to one million people, the Batooro, who venerate the king.

They cherish the kingdom as a seat of honour and esteem. Besides, the kingdom supplements government efforts at devolution of power through its clan system. 

King Oyo, also known as Entale ya Toro (Lion of Toro), dismissed concerns that he is too young to govern. He asked his people to undertake cultural and economic developmental efforts.

Many issues face King Oyo, ranging from low incomes to poor health and sanitation and inadequate housing.  
He said: “I am ready to lead the kingdom. Since I was crowned king, I have always been ready to lead. And I have gone through leadership training.”

In his maiden address to the people, he said: “Food security will be our key area of concern. Every family should have enough to eat and to store. We should revive the old system of granaries at home.” 

The Queen Mother, Best Kemigisa Akiiki, said Oyo took power when he was just three years old. “I now feel happy that he has come of age. Legally, he will be able to appoint and sack officials of the kingdom. That is the only difference between now and then. Otherwise, he has been carrying out various rituals of the kingdom.” 

“I thank President Museveni and the people of Toro who have helped me raise the king. We are looking for more friends to help us develop the kingdom,” Queen Kemigisa added. 

King Oyo is in his final year at Kampala International School, taking an International Baccalaureate.
He plans to study ecotourism at the university, too. “I am into the environment,” he explained.

His mother hinted that he could join the famous Sandhurst Military Academy in England after university. 

Born on April 16, 1992, at Nsambya Hospital in Kampala, Oyo is refreshingly down to earth in his choice of pastimes. He enjoys a game of football, just like his father did.

Last year, he joined ProLine Academy in Kampala to improve his soccer skills. However, he does not want to play the game to a professional level. 

When he is not watching his favourite English football team, Arsenal, on the pitch, he is watching movies. “I like movies in general. I don’t favour any one particular genre,” he said.His favourite dish is rice and chicken. 

His father, King Patrick Olimi Kaboyo Patrick Matthew Kaboyo Olimi VII, died of hypertension four days before his second anniversary as king in August 1995, aged 49.

On September 12, 1995, his son — Prince Oyo — then three and a half years, was crowned the 13th king of the 188-year-old kingdom. 

Prince Oyo was still in kindergarten then, entering record books as the youngest reigning king.
He replaced King Mswati of Swaziland, who had achieved the same status on April 25, 1986, at 18 years, when he succeeded his father, King Sobhuza II, to the throne.

In Uganda, King Oyo broke the record set in the 19th century by four-year-old King Daudi Chwa of the neighbouring Buganda kingdom. 

At his coronation in 1996, as the observances dragged on, King Oyo fidgeted with his crown and, during a speech by President Museveni, jumped out and onto his mother’s lap.  

King Oyo was supposed to meet South African President Nelson Mandela but he disappeared without notice, keeping Mandela waiting.

At another time, he played with a balloon at a church service. And at still another official function, he turned the volume of the speakers down and gazed in wonder at his subjects.

“I tried to count the people but I could not,” he recalls. “I had never seen so many people,” he told People magazine in 1996. 

“I was too young then. I have come a long way as a boy king and now I am 18 and about to take up the proper duties of running the Toro Kingdom. It is worth looking back,” he told The EastAfrican. 

Being a minor, King Oyo was placed under the guardianship of several people.
They included President Museveni, Libyan President Col Muammar Gaddafi, Best Kemigisa (the Queen Mother), his auntie, Elizabeth Bagaya, and Kabaka Ronald Mwenda Mutebi of Buganda.  

Kabaka Mutebi referred to King Oyo’s maturity as a very important time in the history of the Toro.
“I am glad to have been a guardian. It was easy for me, knowing the history of the Toro and the Buganda. It was like looking after a younger brother.” 

“I am now happy to be relived of my responsibilities. But I will not go way. I will be there for advice, if needed,” King Mutebi promised.

He advised the Batooro to support King Oyo in everything possible, as a modern kingdom cannot thrive without its people’s support.