PRINCESS ELIZABETH BAGAYA
* Born in 1936 in Kabarole, she is the daughter of the late King of Tooro, Omukama George Rukidi III, and Queen Kezia.
* She was the first East African woman to graduate with a law degree from the University of Cambridge (1962) and the first to be called to the English Bar as a barrister (1965).
* Returning to Uganda, she became the first woman admitted to the Ugandan Bar in 1966.
* After traditional kingdoms were abolished by Milton Obote in 1966, she fled to London, where she became a globally renowned supermodel, signing with the Ford Agency and making history as the first Black model to appear on the cover of Harper's Bazaar.
* She studied acting in New York and starred in major international films like Bullfrog in the Sun and Sheena: Queen of the Jungle.
* When Idi Amin took power, she returned and served as Ugandaโs Foreign Minister in 1974.
* Her relationship with Amin soured over false accusations, leading to her house arrest and eventual escape from the country in 1975 to save her life.
* After fleeing political hostility a second time under Obote's regime, she secretly married Prince Wilberforce Nyabongo (an aviation engineer) in London in 1981.
* Her husband died suddenly in a fatal plane crash in December 1986 at just 32 years old.
* Devastated by his death, she stepped away from her role as Ugandaโs Ambassador to the United States in 1988 to dedicate her life to global charity work, never remarrying or having children.
* She later returned to national diplomacy, serving as Ugandaโs Ambassador to Germany, the Vatican, and High Commissioner to Nigeria.
* When traditional kingdoms were restored and her brother King Patrick Kaboyo VII passed away in 1995, she became a principal regent and official guardian to her toddler nephew, King Oyo.
* Today, at 90 years old, she remains a highly respected pillar of the Tooro Kingdom.
Today, I received the body of His Majesty King Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV, at Entebbe International Airport.
The Queen Mother first informed me of his illness in November 2025, and we supported efforts to secure specialised treatment for him in Germany and later in the United States. Unfortunately, he died.
Throughout his reign as King of Tooro, Oyo was a good person and a good leader. His passing is a great loss to the people of Tooro and Uganda.
I encourage the people of Tooro to remain calm and avoid disorganisation, even in this difficult time.
May the Lord grant him eternal rest. Amen.