Tooro’s former Queen Mother Best Kemigisa has revealed that the succession dispute that followed the death of her son, King Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV, became so tense that the family decided to keep his child in Texas rather than bring the heir to Tooro.
In a statement issued Tuesday through her official X handle, Kemigisa said the family had initially hoped that Oyo’s child would return to Uganda with them from the United States. However, as the succession dispute intensified, she said the family became concerned about bringing the child into what she described as a tense and polarised situation.
“The situation became so tense and polarised that we felt it was not in the child’s best interest to be brought into such an environment,” Kemigisa said, explaining why the child remained in Texas. Oyo died in the United States on August 27 at the age of 34 while receiving treatment. His death triggered a dispute over his successor, with a 21-member committee of the Babiito clan selecting Prince Edward Rukidi Kijanangoma as the new king.
Preparations are underway for Kijanangoma’s coronation on September 29. The succession dispute was further heightened when Tooro Kingdom Prime Minister Calvin Armstrong Rwomiire Akiiki announced shortly after Oyo’s death that the late king had left behind a son who was his heir.
Rwomiire said the child’s identity would be revealed at an appropriate time in accordance with Tooro customs. President Yoweri Museveni later confirmed that Kemigisa had informed him by telephone that Oyo had left a young heir who would be introduced at the appropriate time. The claim was, however, disputed by Musuuga Charles Kamurasi, head of the Babiito royal clan, who said the clan had not been aware of the child.
Kemigisa said her priority after Oyo’s death had been to bury him peacefully and with dignity before questions concerning his successor were addressed. She said this wish was not realised because a committee to select a new king was formed only hours after Oyo’s death, while his body was still being transported from the United States to Uganda.
Kemigisa Calls for Unity
Kemigisa called for an end to divisions in Tooro, urging the kingdom’s people to “build rather than divide and serve rather than fight.” She said she and Princess Ruth Komuntale would continue working to preserve Oyo’s legacy through projects under the proposed King Oyo Memorial Foundation.
The planned projects include the King Oyo Tooro Museum, which would preserve his personal belongings and items associated with his reign; the King Oyo International Stadium; a research and teaching hospital with cancer and HIV research facilities; and the expansion of Oyo’s farm at Bugaaki in Kyenjojo District into an agricultural education and community outreach centre.
Kemigisa said the projects are intended to transform Oyo’s legacy into practical service to the people rather than simply create monuments in his name. She also thanked Ugandans, religious leaders, health workers, friends and other mourners who supported the royal family during Oyo’s illness, death and burial-URN. Give us feedback on this story through our email: kamwokyatimes@gmail.com
