Tooro Queen Mother Best Kemigisa has revealed that escalating leadership disputes following the death of King Oyo forced the royal family to leave his child in the United States.
Tooro Queen Mother Best Kemigisa has revealed that an intense succession dispute following the passing of Omukama Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV forced the royal family to keep the late King's child in Texas.
A more than two-hour standoff erupted at Karambi Royal Tombs on Saturday as Queen Mother Best Kemigisa initially refused to allow the burial of her son to proceed over disagreement on who would perform the traditional nine coffee beans ritual, according to reports.
From his death in the United States on 27 August 2026 to his burial at Karambi Royal Tombs exactly 31 years after his coronation, the story of Omukama Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV has been marked by grief, a bitter succession battle, high-level rituals, public tension and many unanswered questions that still hang over the Tooro Kingdom.
Thousands of mourners gathered in Fort Portal on Saturday as the late Omukama Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV was buried at Karambi Royal Tombs after a solemn service at St John’s Cathedral, marking the end of his 31-year reign.
The Babiito royal clan has selected Prince Edward Rukidi Kijanangoma, a news anchor and editor with Uganda Broadcasting Corporation, as the new Omukama of Tooro following the death of King Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV
Deputy Speaker of Parliament Thomas Tayebwa has publicly endorsed Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba as the preferred candidate to succeed President Yoweri Museveni in the 2031 general elections, describing the move as a civic expression of popular will.
Tooro Kingdom has constituted a 21-member committee of Babiito clan elders to identify and formally announce the successor to the late Omukama Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV.
President Yoweri Museveni has directed that the late Omukama Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV be accorded an official burial and that national flags fly at half-mast for three days. He also confirmed that the King left behind a young boy as heir.
Chief of Defence Forces Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba has publicly declared that he will contest the 2031 presidential election, saying he expects to win with the support of his father, President Yoweri Museveni.
