The head of the Babiito royal clan in Tooro Kingdom Musuga Charles Kamurasi has reaffirmed the selection of Prince Edward Rukidi Kijanangoma as the new king of Tooro.
Kamurasi made the remarks on Saturday during the funeral service of the late Omukama Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV at St John’s Cathedral in Fort Portal City.
Kijanangoma was on Wednesday announced as Oyo’s successor by a 21-member committee constituted by the Babiito royal clan and headed by Kamurasi.
Kamurasi said the that the selection process was conducted in accordance with the laws of Uganda and the cultural and traditional norms of the kingdom in selecting Kijanangoma who will reign under the name Edward Rukidi Nyabongo I.
The reaffirmation comes amid a dispute over the succession with some members of the royal family including Queen Mother Best Kemigisa, Princess Ruth Komuntale and Princess Elizabeth Bagaya rejecting saying that Omukama Oyo had left a Will which must be respected.
These urged that in the Will, Oyo had left behind a son as an heir and two other people who would succeed him in case the heir was incapacitated.
Kamurasi, however maintained that the decision was guided by Uganda’s laws as well as the cultural and traditional practices of Tooro.
He called on the people of Tooro to remain calm and united saying the kingdom should not allow the disagreement over succession to undermine its stability.
He urged the people to remain strong and protect the dignity, values and cultural norms of the kingdom.
Kamurasi also spoke about his personal relationship with the late Omukama Oyo, saying he had taken responsibility for caring for him from childhood.
He said Oyo’s father the late Omukama Patrick Matthew David Kaboyo Olimi III was serving as Uganda’s ambassador to Cuba when Oyo was born and had asked him to take care of his son.
Oyo was enthroned at the age of three, becoming the world’s youngest reigning monarch and Kamurasi said despite his young age, he accomplished several development initiatives for Tooro.
He said Oyo’s legacy would continue to live on in the kingdom. Oyo died on August 27 aged 34 in the United States where he had been receiving medical treatment-URN. Give us feedback on this story through our email: kamwokyatimes@gmail.com
