World's youngest monarch dies aged 34 after coming to throne aged just 3

World's youngest monarch dies aged 34 after coming to throne aged just 3 Tribal monarch Oyo Nyimba, known officially as Rukidi IV of Tooro, became king of his ancient kingdom in 1995. His death shocked Ugandans when it was announced The world's youngest monarch has died aged 34, his government has announced, decades after he took to the throne aged just three. Oyo Nyimba, a tribal monarch in Uganda known officially as Rukidi IV of Tooro, ascended the ancient throne of the Bantu Kingdom in Uganda and became the Omukama of Tooro 1995. The king's death was announced on Friday by the Tooro prime minister, Calvin Rwomiire Akiiki. The king's death caused ripples of shock across the kingdom and nationally in Uganda, with many people unaware he was being treated abroad for an undisclosed illness. Tooro authorities had assured Ugandans that Oyo remained alive but critically unwell, meaning many were forced to suddenly come to terms with his death at a young age. A second shock disclosure came in a statement from Mr Akiiki, who revealed that the royal line had been preserved by the king, who has an unidentified son. The king had not introduced or even disclosed that he had welcomed a child while he was still alive. The Tooro premier said: "The continuity of the Crown is assured. His Majesty leaves behind a Prince as his heir, whose identity will be formally revealed at the appropriate time, in accordance with the traditions and customs of Tooro Kingdom.” Tributes for the late king, who as a monarch charmed world leaders and was widely adored by his subjects, quickly poured in following the news of his death. “This is very difficult to comprehend,” Deputy Parliament Speaker Thomas Tayebwa said. He added: "The departure of His Majesty leaves an immeasurable void in the Kingdom of Tooro and in the hearts of all those who knew and loved him." Richard Rwabuhinga Abooki, a former Toro Kingdom education minister, said the death was a dark moment for Tooro. He said: "It has been a dark evening in Toro." "A dark cloud of grief and uncertainty hovers over Tooro Kingdom as we mourn the passing of a great leader." King Oyo, as he was best known, was coronated in 1995. At his coronation, he went through a series of tribal rituals and emerged as King Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV. Oyo held the unofficial title of the world’s youngest king, and led his people via regents appointed by the kingdom until he came of age at 18. Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi was one of those who befriended the Tooro royal family as if they were part of his extended family. Gadhafi made multiple trips to Uganda and supported Oyo and the queen mother for years before Gadhafi’s death in October 2011. As he grew older, Oyo was known as a quiet man who protected his privacy. Still unmarried at his death, he was widely seen as Uganda’s most eligible bachelor. In September, the parliamentary speaker pledged to pay the bride price whenever Oyo determined to get married, to which the king in his throne smiled. Tooro is one of the ancient kingdoms of Uganda. Banned after independence from British colonial rule by a republican president who said he wanted to unify the country, traditional kingdoms were restored in 1993. Although they have no political authority and are legally not allowed to engage in partisan politics, monarchs wield authority as guardians of tribal culture. The seat of Oyo’s kingdom is a remote city in western Uganda near the Congo border. Oyo’s people are known as the Batooro.