Tooro Kingdom has released a 2022 will of the late Omukama Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV, reigniting the dispute over who should succeed him and appearing to set out a specific order of succession to the Tooro throne.
The will, made and executed on September 14, 2022, at Karuziika Palace in Fort Portal, expressly names the late King’s biological son as the first heir and successor to the throne.
The document states that if, at the time of Oyo’s death, he was survived by a “lawfully recognized” biological son, that son would succeed him as Omukama of Tooro in accordance with the Institution of Traditional or Cultural Leaders Act, 2011, and the customs and traditions of the kingdom.
“I hereby declare and direct that if, at the date of my death, I am survived by a Son lawfully recognized as my biological Son, I appoint him as my heir to the Throne of the Kingdom of Tooro,” the will states.
The will also sets out an alternative succession plan in the event that Oyo’s son is unable to assume the throne.
“If at the time of my death I have no son able to succeed me, or if my son dies before he can assume the Throne, is permanently incapacitated, or is otherwise unable to succeed or assume the duties and responsibilities of the Throne,” the will states, succession would pass to Prince Komwiswa Yoweri, son of Musuga Charles Kamurasi Akiiki.
Should Prince Komwiswa Yoweri also be unable to assume the throne, the will names Prince Nyaika Solomon, another son of Musuga Charles Kamurasi Akiiki, as the next successor.
“If Komwiswa Yoweri is unable to succeed or assume the throne, then succession shall pass next to my cousin Prince Nyaika Solomon, son of Musuga Charles Kamurasi Akiiki, my paternal uncle,” Oyo stated in the will.
The late King further expressed his wish that the succession arrangement be respected and implemented peacefully and in accordance with Tooro customs and the law.
“I desire that the succession provided for in this Article be recognised and implemented peacefully and with dignity, in accordance with the Institution of Traditional or Cultural Leaders Act, 2011 and customs and traditions of Tooro Kingdom,” the document states.
Oyo also directed that the installation of his successor should be conducted in accordance with the customs and traditions of the Tooro Kingdom and the Institution of Traditional or Cultural Leaders Act.
He concluded the succession provision with a message to his eventual successor, urging him to exercise leadership with wisdom, humility, justice, courage and compassion.
“May he reign with wisdom, humility, justice, courage and compassion; may he protect the dignity and unity of the Kingdom; and may he remember always that leadership is stewardship and that the Crown exists in service to the people,” the will states.
The release of the will comes amid growing disagreement over the succession to the Tooro throne following Oyo’s death after battling cancer.
The 21-member succession committee has announced Prince Edward Rukidi Kijanangoma, a former UBC journalist, as the new Omukama. The decision, however, has been rejected by members of Oyo’s family.
Princess Ruth Komuntale, Oyo’s sister, on Wednesday night accused those announcing a successor of creating confusion before the late King had even been buried. She insisted that Oyo’s will had already provided a clear succession plan.
The publication of the will adds a new dimension to the unfolding succession dispute, with the document explicitly placing Oyo’s biological son ahead of Prince Kijanangoma and the other names that have emerged in competing succession claims.
