The family of the late Omukama of Tooro, Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV, has rejected the announcement of Prince Edward Rukidi Kijanangoma as his successor, insisting that the late King left behind a son who is the rightful heir to the throne.
Princess Ruth Komuntale, a sister of the late King Oyo, on Wednesday night challenged the decision by members of the 21-member succession committee, saying the announcement had caught the royal family by surprise.
Addressing journalists at Karuzika Royal Palace, Princess Komuntale said her brother had left a will that clearly provided for his successor.
“I would like to refute that information. It is inaccurate, it is incorrect. Just to give you a little background, my brother left behind a will, which stated very, very clearly that the next person in line is his son. That’s the next heir to the throne,” Komuntale said.
She said the late King had also provided instructions on alternative successors in case his preferred heir could not take over.
“He also left very strict instructions on any other successors who might take over, just in case, you know, of a plan B,” she said.
Komuntale said the royal family had earlier met General David Sejusa Tumukunde and Omusuuga Charles Kamurasi, together with other members of the Babiito clan, to discuss the contents of the will and the succession process.
“We had a very good, constructive meeting. We went over the will, and the plan was actually to meet again tomorrow with some lawyers to go over the will one more time before the next successor is actually proclaimed and is mentioned,” she said.
She questioned how the succession announcement could have been made before the royal family and its lawyers had completed their consultations.
“So what happened today honestly really took us by surprise. We had no idea that it was going to happen. We’re very confused,” Komuntale said.
The princess accused those behind the announcement of creating unnecessary confusion at a time when the royal family was still mourning the late King.
“It is very unfortunate that we have not even buried my brother yet, and they’re bringing all this confusion and all this turmoil. We can’t even mourn my brother in peace,” she said.
Komuntale appealed to the people of Tooro to remain calm and united as the dispute over the succession unfolds.
“I just want to call out to the people of Tooro, just to please stay calm. My brother was a very peaceful and calm person. So please, just at least to honour him, stop all this drama and this disunity,” she said.
“I’m sure he’s very unhappy right now, looking down in disappointment. So please, for the sake of my brother, for the love of God, let us stay peaceful and just stay united as we continue to progress and move forward in the decision-making,” she added.
Her aunt, Princess Elizabeth Bagaya, also backed Komuntale and questioned the authority of those who announced the new King.
“I stand behind you, nobody has the authority to do anything, you’re the first and foremost,” Princess Bagaya said.
The fresh dispute follows conflicting announcements over who should succeed the late King Oyo, who died recently after battling cancer.
Earlier, journalist Andrew Mwenda announced that the succession committee had selected Prince Desmond Kamurasi as the new Omukama, a decision that attracted strong opposition from sections of the royal family and the Tooro community.
Two days later, members of the 21-member succession committee announced former UBC journalist Prince Edward Rukidi Kijanangoma as the new Omukama.
Kijanangoma is the son of the late Prince Christopher Paul Kijanangoma and the grandson of former Omukama Sir George David Rukidi III.
The latest announcement has now been rejected by the family of the late King Oyo, setting the stage for a fresh dispute over the succession of the Tooro Kingdom.
