Princess Royal Ruth Nsemere Komuntale has urged the public to take persistent pain and unusual health symptoms seriously, saying early medical attention and proper diagnosis can make a critical difference in the management of serious illnesses.
Princess Komuntale made the appeal on Saturday while paying tribute to her brother, the late Tooro King Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV, during his burial service at St John’s Cathedral in Fort Portal City.
She shared the King’s health journey, revealing that he spent more than a year undergoing medical assessments in Uganda after experiencing different forms of pain before he was eventually diagnosed with angiosarcoma, a rare and aggressive form of cancer.
According to Princess Komuntale, some of his symptoms were initially attributed to strenuous exercise and ulcers, and he was advised to undergo physical therapy. It was not until October 2025, after more advanced medical examinations, that the correct diagnosis was made.
By then, she said, the cancer had spread significantly and was affecting several organs.
The Princess said the family later regained hope when King Oyo responded positively to treatment, with the cancer cells shrinking and his energy returning.
“After my brother began receiving the correct treatment, the cancer cells started shrinking dramatically. He regained energy and those improvements gave us all hope that he was going to get better,” she said.
However, she said the situation changed in July when the King’s condition deteriorated despite continued treatment.
“Sadly, in mid-July of this year, things took a terrible turn. The cancer had been in his body just for too long and despite everything that was done, his condition became increasingly difficult,” she said.
Princess Komuntale therefore encouraged people not to dismiss persistent symptoms or assume that they are caused by minor conditions without seeking professional medical advice. She also called for regular health check-ups and early diagnosis.
Beyond his health struggles, Princess Komuntale remembered her brother as a God-fearing, quiet and reserved man who loved sports, farming and studying Scripture. She said he took great pride in his cows and enjoyed reflecting deeply on the Word of God.
She also spoke fondly of his relationship with her husband, saying the late King welcomed him into the family without reservation.
“My brother loved my husband very much. Frankly, it was a relief for me that he approved of him without any reservations,” she said.
The Princess recalled that although King Oyo was generally quiet, he would tell story after story once he began speaking, often reminiscing about the good old days.
Reflecting on his final days, Princess Komuntale said she draws comfort from knowing that her brother is no longer suffering.
“One thought that gives me comfort today is that, after all he endured in this life, he is no longer suffering. Perhaps he has finally found the father he lost at just two and a half years old.”
King Oyo died on August 27 at the age of 34 while undergoing treatment in the United States. He ascended the Tooro throne in 1995 at the age of three and reigned for more than three decades.
As the Kingdom mourns his passing, Princess Komuntale said his memory and the values he stood for should continue to inspire future generations.
“May the legacy of King Oyo live on forever,” she said.
