Queen Mother Best Kemigisa has accused security forces of placing the royal family under house arrest at Karuziika Palace in Fort Portal, deepening the succession crisis in the Tooro Kingdom.

In a statement issued on Thursday, 10 September 2026, Kemigisa said Gen Kayanja Muhanga arrived at the palace three days before the scheduled burial and removed the royal guards without notice. Troops were subsequently deployed around the compound.

“And now, with the security deployment around the Palace, we cannot leave or receive people freely. We are under house arrest,” she stated.

She further claimed that the Omusuuga, the head of the Babiito royal clan, was taken to a location that was not disclosed to the family.

Kemigisa strongly rejected the selection of Prince Edward Rukidi Kijanangoma as the new Omukama, saying the announcement disregarded both the late King’s will and an earlier agreement reached during a meeting chaired by Minister of Gender, Labour and Social Development Maj Gen (Rtd) Henry Tumukunde.

She said the will was read at the palace on Wednesday afternoon in the presence of royal family members and government representatives. According to her, those present agreed to reconvene the following day to address the succession question. Instead, a press conference was held the same evening announcing Kijanangoma while King Oyo’s body was still lying in state.

“They chose to jubilate while my son was still lying in his casket next to them. That is what has hurt us most,” Kemigisa said.

She appealed directly to Gen Kayanja Muhanga, the UPDF leadership and President Museveni to allow the family the freedom and dignity to mourn and bury King Oyo peacefully on Saturday.

“I appeal to those fighting over the throne: please, there will be time for all of that. Let us grieve and bury my son King Oyo,” she added.

The Queen Mother’s statement has intensified the already tense atmosphere in Tooro as the kingdom prepares for the final send-off of its longest-serving modern monarch.