(Adnkronos) – Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV, King of Tooro, Uganda, recognized last year by Guinness World Records as the world’s youngest reigning monarch, having ascended to the throne at the age of three, has died at 34. “It is with deep sadness and a heavy heart that I announce the passing of His Majesty the Omukama of Tooro, King Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV, which occurred around 10 PM this evening,” announced the kingdom’s prime minister in a note released late last night.
Oyo had succeeded his father, who died of a heart attack in 1995, and was formally crowned upon turning 18. According to local media, the monarch died in the United States, where he was receiving treatment, after weeks of speculation about his deteriorating health. Uganda is a republic, led by President Yoweri Museveni, but officially recognizes some traditional kingdoms, which primarily perform cultural functions and have limited political powers. The Tooro region, in the west of the country, has a population of approximately 2.1 million.
