The succession of the late King Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV has become the latest point of uncertainty in Tooro Kingdom, even as thousands of mourners continue to gather in Fort Portal ahead of his burial on September 12.
The dispute follows conflicting accounts over claims that the Babiito royal clan has selected a successor to the late king.
On Friday, journalist Andrew Mwenda reported that a 21-member Royal Succession Committee had selected George Desmond Kamurasi, 36, as the proposed successor to King Oyo.
Mwenda said Kamurasi received 15 of the 18 votes cast by members who attended the committee meeting at Fort Motel in Fort Portal.
However, the claim has since been challenged by Omusuuga Charles Akiiki Kamurasi, the head of the Babiito royal clan and chairman of the succession committee.
The Omusuuga has reportedly distanced himself from the announcement, saying he was not aware that the committee had selected a new king.
The conflicting statements have added a new layer of uncertainty to a succession process that was already attracting considerable attention following the announcement that King Oyo left behind a young son.
Mystery over Oyo’s reported heir
Following Oyo’s death, Tooro Kingdom Prime Minister Calvin Armstrong Rwomiire announced that the late king had left behind a Prince who would continue the royal line.
President Yoweri Museveni later confirmed that Queen Mother Best Kemigisa had informed him about the existence of the child.
However, the identity of the reported heir has not been publicly disclosed.
The issue has raised questions within the Babiito clan, with some royal officials saying that the traditional succession process must first establish whether the child qualifies to inherit the throne.
Tooro’s succession framework places responsibility for the cultural succession process with the Babiito clan, under the authority of the Musuuga.
A 21-member committee was established shortly after King Oyo’s death to identify the successor, make the formal announcement and prepare the traditional ceremonies associated with the transition.
The reported selection of Kamurasi has therefore not been treated as a formal enthronement.
Reports indicate that, under Tooro custom, the formal announcement of a successor is expected after King Oyo has been laid to rest.
Burial preparations continue
Meanwhile, preparations for King Oyo’s final send-off are continuing in Fort Portal.
The late king’s remains arrived at Entebbe International Airport on Friday and were received by President Yoweri Museveni, Queen Mother Best Kemigisa and other government and royal officials.
Thousands of mourners subsequently lined roads as the remains were taken to Karuziika Palace, where the king is lying in state during the official mourning period.
Government has taken charge of major aspects of the funeral arrangements, including logistics, security, catering and preparations at the key venues.
King Oyo will be buried on Saturday, September 12, at the Karambi Royal Tombs.
The burial date coincides with what would have been his 31st coronation anniversary.
According to the official programme, the final church service will be held at St John’s Cathedral in Fort Portal, with mourners expected to be seated by 8am.
The service is expected to end at midday, after which the traditional procession will proceed towards the burial site.
Government has deployed the Uganda People’s Defence Forces and Uganda Police Force to provide security, crowd control and ceremonial support during the funeral.
DRC mourners barred over Ebola outbreak
As Tooro prepares to receive thousands of mourners, the Ministry of Health has also issued restrictions affecting people travelling from eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.
The ministry has barred mourners from the DRC from attending the burial because of an ongoing Ebola outbreak in eastern DRC.
Charles Olaro, the Director General of Health Services, said the decision was taken because of the expected movement of people from the affected areas into Uganda during the funeral period.
The restriction could affect subjects of the Tooro Kingdom living in eastern DRC who had planned to travel to Fort Portal for the burial.
Tooro Prime Minister Rwomiire said royal delegations and mourners from different parts of Africa had expressed interest in attending the funeral.
A kingdom preparing for transition
King Oyo died on August 27, 2026, aged 34, after receiving treatment in the United States.
He became Omukama of Tooro in 1995 at the age of three following the death of his father, King Patrick Matthew Kaboyo Olimi III.
His reign lasted more than three decades, making him one of Uganda’s longest-serving contemporary traditional leaders.
As preparations for his burial enter their final days, attention is now beginning to shift from mourning the late king to determining who will occupy the Tooro throne.
For now, the kingdom’s official position remains that the succession process is being handled through the traditional institutions of the Babiito clan.
The reported selection of George Desmond Kamurasi has not yet been formally proclaimed, while questions surrounding the reported young heir of King Oyo remain unresolved.
Until those questions are settled, Tooro faces the delicate task of burying its king while simultaneously preparing for the succession of the crown.
