Tooro princess dies a month after introducing husband

Tooro Kingdom and the royal family are in grief following the death of one of their princesses, Ruth Cox Nyakairu Kugonza Amooti.

Kugonza, 62, died at Mulago National Referral Hospital Tuesday morning, exactly one month after introducing her man on October 24.

Burahya County MP, Ms Margaret Muhanga, said Kugonza who was her cousin and childhood friend was first admitted at Fort Portal regional referral hospital before she was transferred to Mulago with breathing problems.

“Yesterday (Monday) I organized her evacuation from Fort Portal to Kampala and then I kept monitoring throughout the night when she was on a ventilator. This morning I called and they said they haven’t seen her since she entered ICU (intensive care unit at Mulago) and eventually, the doctor came out and said she didn’t make it,” said Ms Muhanga.

Covid 19?

“We haven’t got the results from her test but we are not taking any chances. We have fumigated her home in Kitumba and we haven’t allowed any friends or relatives inside the house. They are only allowed to sit outside in a tent until we get confirmation and advice from Mulago hospital” said Muhanga told this reporter on Tuesday evening. 

Kugonza has been a prominent businesswoman in Fort Portal City and reported to own big chunks of land in Kyenjojo district. 

Omusuuga (Head of the Royal clan, the Babiito), Mr Charles Kamurasi Akiiki said, “It was very sad for Cox Kugonza to die; her father was Cox so Cox is the family name. She is the granddaughter of Princess Ruth Komuntale, the Batebe of Tooro and sister to Sir George Kamurasi Rukidi III, the former King of Tooro.” 

He added, “So Cox (her father) was also a prince and therefore, Kugonza is the cousin of King Oyo.”

On Covid 19 Kamurasi said, “We have been told that Kugonza has died of Covid 19, the President has warned us a lot but people have not complied.”

 Veteran journalist, Andrew Mwenda said Kugonza who’s his cousin had succumbed to Covid-19 that has so far killed 186 Ugandans and infected 18,406 others since March this year when the virus outbreak was confirmed in the country.

“On Sunday, we lost a cousin, Margaret, to COVID-19. This morning we have just lost yet another cousin, Cox, to Covid. Covid is real and it is lethal. Avoid large social gatherings, socially distance and wear your mask at all times in public and sanitize all the time!” Mr Mwenda tweeted on Tuesday morning.

Her demised occurred just hours before the Ministry of health on Tuesday confirmed five new virus deaths and 241 new infections as cases rose to 18,406.

“Results of COVID-19 tests done on 23 November 2020 confirm 241 new cases. The cumulative confirmed cases are now 18,406. 5 COVID-19 deaths reported among previously confirmed cases following investigations. However, the deaths occurred over a period of time,’ the ministry tweeted on Tuesday evening.