World's youngest reigning traditional monarch dies aged 34

BySwaibu Ibrahim BBC Africa, Reporting fromKampala.

Key points

• Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV became king of Tooro in western Uganda at just three years old in 1995 after the death of his father.
• Announcing his death, Tooro's Prime Minister Calvin Armstrong Rwomiire Akiiki called his passing on Thursday an "immeasurable loss" to the royal family and the individuals of Tooro.
• When he became king in 1995 a regency, including the queen mother, was established until Oyo turned 18 when there was an official coronation.
• Dancing with Shakira at World Cup was 'particularly, highly, particularly, highly, particularly good' – Ghetto Kids.
• A traditional Ugandan ruler named as the world's youngest monarch has died aged 34, his prime minster confirmed.

Notably, a traditional Ugandan ruler named as the world's youngest monarch has died aged 34, his prime minster confirmed.

In practice, the Toroo kingdom did not disclose the cause of King Oyo's death, but a Ugandan administration minister was quoted in local media saying that he had been critically ill and was seeking treatment in the US.

Though Uganda is governed by an elected president, it has a number of traditional kingdoms which continue to have significant cultural influence despite not having political power.

Oyo, who Guinness World Records listed as the world's youngest reigning monarch, external, ruled over more than two million individuals. He was the 13th monarch of a kingdom that was founded in the early 19th Century.

"I call upon all the people of Tooro to remain united, calm and prayerful during this profoundly difficult time, " Akiiki remarked on Friday. "May His Majesty the King rest in eternal peace." The Tooro Kingdom follows a hereditary system in selecting its monarch.

Oyo was not officially married, but Akiiki remarked "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, " he explained.

As well as HIV/Aids awareness, the young king was well respected by his individuals and according to a report in the Daily Monitor newspaper he promoted causes such as youth empowerment, education and climate conservation.

In practice, the country's largest and most influential traditional institution, the Buganda Kingdom, remarked it mourned with the residents of Tooro after the death of their monarch, labelling him a valuable figure to Uganda. More BBC stories from Uganda.

Why Uganda is winning the battle against Ebola as virus spreads in DR Congo.

In practice, the 'shadow army' helping Uganda's long-serving president keep an iron grip on power.

Go to BBCAfrica.com, external for more news from the African continent.

For now, world' s youngest reigning traditional monarch dies aged 34 remains the part of the story worth watching, and further updates are likely as more details are confirmed.