MTN Uganda Chairman Charles Mbire Pays Tribute to King Oyo, Pledges Shs100m Towards Burial Preparations

Kampala, Uganda — MTN Uganda Board Chairman Charles Mbire has paid tribute to the late Omukama of Tooro, Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV, describing his death as a profound loss to the Kingdom of Tooro and Uganda as a whole.

Mbire made the remarks on Thursday during a visit to the late King’s residence in Buziga, Kampala, where he joined members of the royal family and other mourners in paying respects to the fallen cultural leader.

Speaking on behalf of the MTN Uganda Board, management and staff, Mbire extended condolences to the royal family, the people of Tooro and Ugandans who have been mourning the death of the young monarch.

“On behalf of the MTN Uganda Board, management and staff, I extend our deepest condolences to the royal family, the people of Tooro and all Ugandans. King Oyo diligently carried the hopes of his people, and his passing is a great loss to the nation,” Mbire said.

King Oyo, who ascended to the Tooro throne at a young age, became a prominent symbol of the Kingdom and represented its aspirations at both national and international levels. During his reign, he was involved in initiatives aimed at promoting the welfare and development of his subjects, particularly young people.

MTN-Tooro partnership

Mbire also highlighted the longstanding partnership between MTN Uganda and the Kingdom of Tooro under the leadership of King Oyo.

Over the years, MTN Uganda worked with the Obukama of Tooro to support a range of initiatives in areas including youth empowerment, sports, health, education and community development.

According to Mbire, the partnership was part of MTN Uganda’s broader commitment to working with cultural institutions to promote social and economic development across communities.

The collaboration between the telecommunications company and the Kingdom has also provided platforms for supporting talent development and initiatives intended to improve opportunities for young people.

Mbire said MTN Uganda remains committed to the partnership and will continue supporting programmes associated with the aspirations and priorities championed by the late King.

MTN pledges Shs100 million

As a gesture of solidarity with the people of Tooro and the royal family during the mourning period, Mbire announced that MTN Uganda will contribute Shs100 million through the National Organizing Committee coordinating preparations for the late King’s interment.

The contribution is intended to support the ongoing preparations for the burial and interment of King Oyo.

Mbire said the telecommunications company would remain engaged with the Obukama of Tooro beyond the burial, particularly in supporting initiatives that were close to the late King’s heart.

The pledge underscores the company’s continued relationship with the cultural institution and its commitment to contributing to community development initiatives.

A loss to Tooro and Uganda

Mbire’s tribute adds to a growing stream of condolences from political, cultural, religious, business and other leaders following the death of King Oyo.

The late monarch was widely regarded as an important figure in Uganda’s cultural landscape, having served as the head of the Tooro Kingdom and represented the interests and aspirations of the Tooro people.

His death has triggered widespread mourning in the Kingdom and across the country, with leaders and members of the public paying tribute to his leadership and contribution to the preservation of Tooro’s cultural heritage.

For MTN Uganda, the passing of King Oyo also marks the loss of a partner with whom the company had developed a relationship centred on community-oriented programmes.

Mbire said the company would continue to stand with the royal family, the people of Tooro and the wider Ugandan community during the mourning period. 

The Shs100 million contribution is expected to form part of the broader support being mobilised by the National Organizing Committee as preparations for the late King’s interment continue.