President Yoweri Museveni's emotional appearance beside the casket of Tooro King Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV has drawn widespread attention in Uganda.
King Oyo's remains arrived at Entebbe International Airport on Friday, September 4, after he died in the United States on August 27, aged 34.
Museveni was among the senior officials and members of the royal family who gathered to receive the late monarch.
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A photograph taken during the ceremony showed the president bowing beside the flag-draped coffin as he paid his final respects.
The image quickly circulated online, with attention focusing on Museveni's eyes, which appeared teary as he stood next to the casket.
President Yoweri Museveni // InstagramThe Uganda Media Centre described the moment as the president paying his final respects and laying a wreath in honour of King Oyo.
“The atmosphere is heavy with reflection and tribute.”
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Museveni had already expressed deep sorrow over the monarch's death.
In an August 30 statement, he described Oyo's death at 34 as a major loss to Tooro and Uganda.
He also revealed that Queen Mother Best Kemigisa had informed him that the king was suffering from aggressive cancer.
According to Museveni, the government supported the royal family in seeking specialised treatment in Germany and later the United States.
Ugandans react to the photograph.
The photograph prompted an immediate response from social media users, many of whom focused on the president's apparent tears.
agaba_on wrote:
“I have never seen a teary Museveni, but look.”
Ampeire_, described the photograph simply as:
“Powerful image.”
@Pandaug1898392 also reacted to the president's expression, writing:
“I have never seen Museveni cry; look into his eyes.”
JohnmaryBelieve summed up the mood with three words:
