By Spy Uganda
The planned funeral and burial ceremonies for Tooro’s King Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV have been budgeted at UGX1.72 billion, according to an event management budget prepared for the Tooro Kingdom.
The detailed budget, dated August 29, 2026 and addressed to the Ministry of Gender, Culture and Social Development, puts the total cost of event management at UGX1,724,490,000, before the 18 percent VAT indicated in the document.
The proposed expenditure covers preparations at several key locations, including the airport, Buziga Royal Palace, Karambi Tombs, Kaberole Church and Karuzika Royal Palace, as well as logistics, security, entertainment, media and extensive event branding.
At Karambi Tombs, the royal burial grounds, the budget proposes a major event setup expected to accommodate thousands of mourners and dignitaries. Among the largest individual costs is a 30-metre by 70-metre dome tent budgeted at UGX60 million, while VIP-area floor boarding is estimated at another UGX30 million.
The burial grounds would also receive a custom-designed stage costing UGX6 million, a PA system capable of serving about 4,000 people at UGX15 million, eight live-feed LED screens at UGX16 million, and a stage LED screen costing UGX5 million.
The budget further provides for three 150 KVA generators with fuel at UGX10.8 million, decoration at UGX20 million, private security and bouncers at UGX7 million, emergency services including a fire truck and ambulance at UGX2 million, and mobile toilets at UGX4 million.
At Karuzika Royal Palace, where preparations are budgeted to run for 14 days, the proposed costs are considerably higher in several areas.
A 20-metre by 30-metre VVIP over-deck terrace is estimated at UGX98 million, while a tent for the palace gardens is budgeted at UGX56 million. A parking tent would cost UGX49 million, while another tent for the old palace is estimated at UGX42 million.
The Karuzika setup also includes six large LED screens, whose combined cost is listed at UGX168 million, making it one of the single largest items in the entire budget.
Other significant expenses at the palace include decoration at UGX60 million, generators and fuel at UGX44.8 million, PA services at UGX42 million, plastic chairs and linen at UGX42 million, floor boarding at UGX34 million, and lighting at UGX33.6 million.
The budget also sets aside substantial resources for logistics and personnel. Cleaning services across all locations are estimated at UGX14 million, while accommodation and upkeep for different event teams amounts to more than UGX71 million.
The transportation component includes UGX60.2 million for large equipment trucks, UGX8.4 million for passenger vehicles and UGX2 million for fuel for movements within Fort Portal.
Media and publicity also feature prominently in the preparations.
A content team comprising cameramen, photographers, editors and post-production personnel, together with camera equipment, drone, audio and lighting, is budgeted at UGX35 million.
The proposed budget further allocates UGX18 million for event printing and branding, UGX12 million for blogs and media coverage, UGX48 million for 4,000 A4 programme booklets and UGX20 million for the production of a tribute video and slideshow.
At the airport, preparations include a tent, red carpet, cultural decoration, cultural reception, public-address system and branding, with media and press coverage for 40 personnel budgeted at UGX8 million.
Buziga Royal Palace preparations include roadside branding using poles and banners at UGX18 million, two large tents for seven days at UGX42 million, and additional spending on chairs, tables, lighting, generators, transport, security-related facilities and other event infrastructure.
The budget also includes preparations at Kaberole Church, with UGX15 million allocated for a 1,000-person tent, UGX8 million for a 300-person tent, UGX25 million for decoration and UGX8 million for the PA system, alongside lighting, generators, seating and other facilities.
According to the document, the subtotal stands at UGX1,596,750,000, followed by an 8 percent event management fee of UGX127,740,000, bringing the stated total to UGX1,724,490,000. The document separately indicates an 18 percent VAT line, but does not fill in a VAT-inclusive grand total.
The figures therefore show that the planned royal funeral is being organised as a major multi-location national event, with significant expenditure directed towards accommodation of mourners and dignitaries, infrastructure, broadcasting, security, transport, cultural presentation and media coverage.
The document is signed by Rt. Hon Calvin Armstrong Rwomiire, Prime Minister of Tooro Kingdom, and is addressed to the Minister of Gender, Labour and Social Development.
