Queen Mother Best Kemigisa has commended businessman and philanthropist Dr Sudhir Ruparelia for his role in supporting the education and personal wellbeing of her late son, King Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV, during his formative years.
Speaking at King Oyo’s burial service at St John’s Cathedral in Fort Portal on Friday, Kemigisa reflected on Ruparelia’s contribution to the education of the young monarch as he grew up carrying the responsibilities of the Tooro Kingdom.
“Dr Sudhir Ruparelia is among those who educated my son in high school,” Kemigisa said.
She explained that Ruparelia’s support was not limited to Oyo’s schooling, but also extended to some of the young King’s personal interests as he progressed from childhood into adulthood.
Kemigisa recalled that Ruparelia allowed Oyo to use the gym at Speke Resort Munyonyo, a property belonging to the Ruparelia Group, at no cost, giving the young monarch an opportunity to focus on physical fitness.
Oyo became Omukama of Tooro in 1995 following the death of his father, Omukama Patrick Matthew Kaboyo Olimi III. At just three years old, he became the world’s youngest reigning monarch at the time.
His childhood and teenage years were consequently spent balancing the responsibilities and expectations of traditional leadership with his education and personal development, all under considerable public attention.
Ruparelia’s involvement in Oyo’s education had also been documented previously. In a 2015 report, The Independent named him alongside then-Rwandan President Paul Kagame among those who supported the education of Oyo and his sister during their formative years.
King Oyo remained on the Tooro throne for 31 years. As an adult monarch, he became involved in initiatives promoting education, youth empowerment, healthcare and environmental conservation. He also worked to promote Tooro as a destination for tourism and investment.
Oyo died in the United States on August 27, 2026, at the age of 34.
Following his death, President Yoweri Museveni declared three days of national mourning and directed that the late monarch be accorded an official burial.
Thousands of mourners, alongside members of the royal family, cultural leaders, government officials and other dignitaries, gathered in Fort Portal to participate in the final funeral ceremonies before Oyo was laid to rest at the Karambi Royal Tombs, the traditional burial grounds for Tooro monarchs.
Dr Sudhir Ruparelia has also maintained a longstanding relationship with the Tooro royal family and the wider community through his business, hospitality, tourism and social engagements.
The connection between the Ruparelia family and the royal household has continued over the years. Following the death of Ruparelia’s son, Rajiv Ruparelia, Queen Mother Kemigisa was among those who joined the family in mourning and conveyed her condolences.
At Oyo’s burial, however, her remarks focused specifically on Ruparelia’s contribution during an important period in her son’s life, when he was growing up both as a child and as the young monarch of Tooro.
Her recollection provided insight into the support King Oyo received from individuals outside the royal household as he prepared for the responsibilities that came with occupying the Tooro throne.
With King Oyo now laid to rest at Karambi, the Tooro Kingdom has concluded the final ceremonies for a monarch who ascended the throne at only three years old and remained king for more than three decades before his death at 34.