President Yoweri Museveni has urged people of Tooro to use peaceful and legal means to resolve the dispute over who should succeed the late King Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV.
Museveni, in a message delivered by Deputy Speaker of Parliament Thomas Tayebwa during King Oyo’s burial ceremony in Fort Portal on Saturday, said he would be ready to work with the new Omukama once the succession question is settled.
“I appeal to the Batooro to use peaceful and legal means to solve this matter and also look for maximum unity instead of division,” Museveni said.
The call comes amid a bitter disagreement within the Tooro royal family following the selection of Prince Edward Rukidi Kijanangoma as the successor to the late King.
Kijanangoma, a cousin of King Oyo and former Uganda Broadcasting Corporation (UBC) news anchor, was selected by the Babiito Royal Clan’s succession process after the death of Oyo on August 27, 2026.
However, Oyo’s mother, Queen Mother Best Kemigisa, and his sister, Princess Ruth Nsemere Komuntale, have rejected the decision, arguing that the late King left a will providing for his biological son to succeed him.
The succession dispute became public shortly after Kijanangoma was announced as King-elect, with members of Oyo’s immediate family questioning the process and insisting that the late monarch’s wishes should be respected.
Reports indicate that Oyo’s will, dated September 14, 2022, contains a succession provision stating that if he was survived by a son lawfully recognised as his biological son, that son would be his heir to the throne, subject to Ugandan law and Tooro customs.
The reported existence of the son has, however, become another point of contention. While Oyo’s family and some members of the royal establishment have referred to the child, questions have been raised over his identity, recognition within the Babiito clan and whether he meets the customary requirements for succession.
The Babiito succession process instead settled on Kijanangoma following the consideration and vetting of members of the royal family. The 21-member committee has said it developed criteria for identifying and assessing potential successors rather than simply relying on a conventional vote.
Museveni, however, urged the Batooro to focus on unity as they seek a solution.
“When the issue of the new king of the Batoro is solved, I shall be happy to work with the king as we did with His Highness Oyo,” he said.
The President also reminded Ugandans of the constitutional role of traditional leaders, saying the cultural institutions restored in 1993 were not established to compete with government in politics, administration or legislation.
“The cultural leaders restored in the year 1993 are not for politics, administration, or legislation. He or she is for culture, which includes language and customs,” Museveni said.
He said traditional leaders have an important role in preserving indigenous languages, customs and cultural practices that could otherwise be lost in a modern state.
“How can the government in Kampala or the districts ensure the survival of our indigenous languages, customs, etc?” he asked, arguing that cultural leaders have a historic responsibility to protect such heritage.
Museveni described the death of King Oyo as a major loss, praising him for maintaining a cordial relationship with the central government.
“He was a good leader of culture that never clashed with the central government because he kept in his jersey of culture and mobilizing people for development. It is a big loss,” he said.
Oyo died aged 34 while undergoing cancer treatment in the United States. He became Tooro’s king in 1995 at just three years old and went on to reign for more than three decades.
His final burial at the Karambi Royal Tombs in Fort Portal on Saturday brings to an end the public mourning period, but the question of who should ultimately occupy the Tooro throne remains contested.
Museveni also used the occasion to call for greater action against cancer and other preventable diseases, urging Ugandans to take responsibility for their health.
“May the soul of Omukama Oyo rest in eternal peace,” he said.
