Princess Komuntale has paid an emotional tribute to her late brother, King Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV, describing him as a God-fearing man whose life was marked by family, laughter, responsibility and service to the Tooro Kingdom.
In a heartfelt message shared on Instagram, Princess Komuntale said she was still struggling to come to terms with the reality of bidding farewell to her younger brother.
She said that beyond the crown and royal responsibilities, Oyo was a quiet and reserved man who, once he began speaking, could captivate those around him with stories.
“When I think about my brother, I think first of the person behind the crown,” she wrote.
Komuntale recalled their childhood memories and family moments, saying the two siblings enjoyed reminiscing about their upbringing and the occasions when they tested their mother’s patience.
She also remembered Oyo for his sense of humour, particularly his ability to impersonate people by mimicking their voices, mannerisms and speech.
“He had a gift for making people laugh, and he always knew how to brighten my day,” she said.
Although Oyo was her younger brother, Komuntale said he frequently behaved like the elder sibling, particularly after the death of their father.
She said she believed this was partly because he felt responsible for protecting both their mother and herself.
“I watched my brother carry responsibilities that most people could never imagine,” Komuntale said, reflecting on Oyo’s journey from childhood into kingship.
She described watching him “grow, learn, lead, pray, struggle, persevere, and love,” adding that she was immensely proud of him.
The Princess also expressed regret that Oyo’s life had ended before she could have more time with him.
She said she wished she could once again hear his voice, listen to his stories, enjoy his impersonations or simply sit beside him and share the private laughter that characterised their relationship as siblings.
According to Komuntale, however, Oyo leaves behind more than grief.
“You have left behind love. You have left behind memories. You have left behind family,” she wrote, adding that he had also left behind a generation that would continue to know his name.
She described this as part of the legacy Oyo leaves behind following his 34 years of life.
The tribute comes as members of the Tooro royal family and subjects continue to mourn the death of the young monarch, whose reign placed him at the centre of the cultural and public life of the kingdom from an early age.
Komuntale ended her message with a farewell to her “baby brother”, committing his memory and legacy to God.
“May God receive you with open arms,” she wrote.
She concluded with a declaration of love and a prayer that King Oyo’s legacy will live on forever.
