Uganda Blocks DRC Mourners From Attending King Oyo’s Burial

Updated by Faith Barbara N Ruhinda at 1338 EAT on Monday 7 September 2026

Uganda has barred mourners from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) from attending the burial of Tooro King Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru IV, citing an ongoing Ebola outbreak in eastern DRC.

The Ministry of Health issued the advisory as Tooro prepares to receive thousands of mourners for the burial of the 34-year-old king, who died after battling a rare form of brain cancer.

Charles Olaro, the Director General of Health Services, said the ministry expects a large influx of mourners, including subjects of the Tooro Kingdom living in eastern DRC, where an Ebola outbreak is ongoing.

King Oyo will be laid to rest on September 12 at the Karambi Royal Tombs. Since his body arrived at Entebbe International Airport on Friday, large crowds have lined roads leading to the royal palace in Fort Portal City to pay their respects.

Tooro Prime Minister Calvin Armstrong Rwomire said the kingdom expects mourners from across the world, including members of royal families from Nigeria, the DRC and Eswatini, who have expressed interest in attending the burial.

However, the Ministry of Health said mourners from eastern DRC would not be permitted to travel to Uganda.

“The Uganda-DRC border remains closed, and travel remains restricted,” the ministry said in its advisory.

The ministry said it would provide an official link through government communication channels to enable Tooro subjects in the DRC and other parts of the world to follow the burial proceedings virtually.

Uganda currently has no active Ebola cases after the country was declared Ebola-free by the World Health Organisation (WHO), having completed the required 42-day period without recording a new case.

The country recorded 20 Ebola cases during the outbreak declared in May. The outbreak was traced to an imported case from the DRC, which was treated at a private hospital in Kampala.

Olaro said Uganda remains under active surveillance despite having no active cases, with health authorities working to prevent a possible reintroduction of the virus.

The travel restrictions are likely to affect Tooro subjects living in eastern DRC who had planned to travel to Fort Portal to attend the burial of King Oyo.

-Observer

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