A leadership crisis has emerged in Uganda’s Tooro Kingdom following a disagreement over who should succeed the late King Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV, days before his burial.
King Oyo, who died in the United States last month at the age of 34 while receiving cancer treatment, had ruled the kingdom for more than 30 years.
He was previously regarded as the world’s youngest reigning monarch.
The dispute began after royal clan elders selected Prince Edward Rukidi Kijanangoma, a 56-year-old television news presenter, as the next Omukama, the traditional title for Tooro’s king.
However, members of the late monarch’s family have rejected the decision, claiming that Oyo had already identified his successor in a will prepared in 2022.
His sister, Princess Ruth Komuntale, said the document named Oyo’s young son as the heir, although the child’s identity has not been made public.
She accused the succession committee of worsening tensions at a time when the family was mourning the death of the king.
The late monarch’s mother, Queen Best Kemigisa, also raised concerns over the security situation at the palace.
She said royal guards had been removed and soldiers deployed around the residence, limiting the family’s movements and access to visitors.
The queen mother appealed to President Yoweri Museveni and the military leadership to allow the royal household to mourn and conduct the funeral without interference.
Thousands of people are expected to gather at the royal burial grounds near the palace in Fort Portal, western Uganda, on Saturday.
Oyo’s remains arrived in the country from the United States on Friday as preparations for the funeral continued.
Tooro is among Uganda’s traditional kingdoms, whose leaders have cultural rather than constitutional political powers.
The institutions were abolished in 1967 but restored in the 1990s under President Museveni.
Unlike the British royal system, succession in Tooro does not automatically follow a fixed hereditary order. The monarch is selected from the Babiito, the kingdom’s royal lineage.
At a gathering in Fort Portal, members of the succession committee said they had consulted widely before settling on Kijanangoma.
Nineteen representatives signed the resolution endorsing him.
Kijanangoma is the son of Prince Christopher Paul Kijanangoma and the grandson of former Tooro ruler George David Rukidi III.
Another contender, UK-based Prince George Desmond Kamurasi, reportedly withdrew from consideration because of other commitments.
The timing of Kijanangoma’s coronation remains uncertain, although the committee said the ceremony would follow established Tooro customs.
Oyo’s relatives have maintained that his personal wishes should determine the next stage of the monarchy.
Princess Komuntale said her brother had provided detailed instructions, including alternative arrangements should his son be unable to assume the position.
However, members of the royal clan argue that simply acknowledging the existence of a male heir does not meet traditional requirements.
They say the child should first be formally introduced to the elders before being recognised as a potential ruler.
The disagreement has prompted Culture Minister Henry Tumukunde to begin mediation between the opposing sides.
Further discussions are expected with President Museveni and other cultural leaders as efforts continue to resolve the matter.
By: Magdalene Agyeiwaa Sarpong