Queen Mother Best Kemigisa has appealed to members of the Tooro Kingdom and those involved in the succession dispute to allow the royal family to first bury her son, the late King Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV, before discussing the future of the throne.
Kemigisa said she was deeply hurt that disagreements over succession had emerged while the family was still mourning the death of the monarch who led Tooro for 31 years.
In a statement issued ahead of King Oyo’s burial, the Queen Mother said the focus should remain on giving the late King a dignified send-off instead of rushing into succession discussions.
“I write this with a heavy heart,” Kemigisa said, recalling how she also faced challenges after the death of her husband, former King Patrick Matthew Kaboyo Olimi III, in 1995.
She said when Olimi III died, Oyo was still a young child, and some members of the Babiito clan questioned whether he was old enough to become King.
According to Kemigisa, the matter was later taken to court, but Oyo remained on the throne and went on to serve Tooro for more than three decades.
She said King Oyo built strong relationships across Uganda and internationally while carrying out his duties as Omukama.
King Oyo died on August 27, 2026, in the United States at the age of 34 while receiving treatment, creating a new succession challenge for the kingdom.
Kemigisa thanked President Yoweri Museveni and the UPDF for supporting preparations to return the King’s body and prepare for his burial.
She said the UPDF engineering brigade helped with preparations at the royal tombs and other arrangements ahead of the burial.
However, the Queen Mother said tensions increased after reports emerged that some members of the Babiito clan had selected a successor before the late King was laid to rest.
She said the announcement of Prince Edward Rukidi Kijanangoma as the next King caused pain to the royal family because it happened during the mourning period.
Kemigisa insisted that King Oyo’s will should be considered, saying it clearly outlined the order of succession to the Tooro throne.
She explained that the will stated that a recognised biological son of King Oyo would be the first choice to succeed him, followed by other alternatives under specific circumstances.
The Queen Mother said royal family members and other stakeholders had gathered to discuss the will before the announcement of a successor was made.
She also raised concerns about security deployment around Karuziika Palace, claiming it had affected the family’s ability to freely receive visitors during mourning.
Kemigisa appealed to the UPDF leadership and President Museveni to allow the royal family to mourn and bury King Oyo peacefully.
She urged those competing for the throne to wait until after the burial, saying there would be time to address succession matters later.
“Please, there will be time for all of that. Let us grieve and bury my son King Oyo,” she said.
As Tooro prepares to bid farewell to King Oyo, the succession dispute has continued to attract attention involving the royal family, Babiito clan members and government representatives.
Kemigisa called on everyone to remember King Oyo’s legacy, saying he was a good son and king who loved Tooro and served his people for 31 years.
