The succession dispute in Tooro Kingdom has taken another dramatic turn after Prince Patrick Mpuuga, son of Omusuuga Charles Akiiki Kamurasi, rejected the announcement of Prince Edward Rukidi Kijanangoma as the new Omukama of Tooro.
Mpuuga, who is a member of the Babiito royal family, said the wishes of the late Omukama Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV should be respected and should guide the process of choosing his successor.
The latest disagreement places Omusuuga Kamurasi, the head of the Babiito royal clan, at the centre of criticism from his own son, who has taken a different position on the succession matter.
Mpuuga argued that the late King Oyo’s will, which was reportedly signed in 2022, should take priority over previous succession arrangements used by the clan.
According to Mpuuga, the document clearly outlined the late king’s preferred successor and provided guidance on what should happen if the first heir was unable to assume the throne.
He said that the will of King Oyo represented the final wishes of the late monarch and should not be ignored during the process of selecting the next king of Tooro.
“It is very clear that the King’s will supersedes any will that existed in the past,” Mpuuga said during a press conference.
He added that those relying on earlier royal documents were overlooking the wishes expressed by the late Omukama Oyo Nyimba Amooti.
The disagreement follows the decision by the Babiito Royal Clan to select Prince Edward Rukidi Kijanangoma as the successor to the late King Oyo.
The clan arrived at the decision after Prince George Desmond Kamurasi, who had initially emerged as the preferred candidate, reportedly declined the throne.
The Babiito clan said the selection process was based on traditional succession arrangements and provisions contained in the will of former Omukama Sir George David Rukidi Kamurasi III.
However, members of King Oyo’s family have challenged that position, insisting that the late king’s own will should be considered in determining the future of the monarchy.
Mpuuga, who has sided with Princess Ruth Komuntale and Princess Elizabeth Bagaya in the succession debate, said the late king’s wishes should guide the transition.
The disagreement has further widened divisions among members of the royal family, with different groups presenting competing views on how the succession should proceed.
During his remarks, Mpuuga also raised another issue involving the position of Prince Regent, claiming that King Oyo had expressed interest in having him take over from his father as Omusuuga.
Mpuuga said he had personally discussed the matter with the late king and that Oyo wanted younger members of the royal family to take a bigger role in protecting Tooro’s culture and traditions.
He explained that the idea was aimed at ensuring that knowledge about the kingdom would not remain only with older generations but would also be passed on to younger members of the royal family.
“His Majesty wanted the younger generation to take part in preserving our culture and ensuring continuity,” Mpuuga said.
He noted that although the plan did not officially take effect before King Oyo’s death, he believes the late king’s wishes should still be respected.
Mpuuga called for a peaceful resolution to the disagreements surrounding the succession, saying the royal family should handle the matter without creating further divisions.
He also appealed to security agencies to support efforts aimed at maintaining peace as discussions over the future leadership of Tooro continue.
The succession dispute has now placed the kingdom at a critical moment, with the recognition of Edward Rukidi Kijanangoma facing opposition from some members of the royal family.
As consultations and discussions continue, attention remains focused on whether the different sides within the Babiito clan and the wider Tooro royal family can reach an agreement on the path forward.
The debate over King Oyo’s will, traditional succession practices and the future leadership of Tooro is expected to remain a major issue as the kingdom prepares for the next chapter of its monarchy.
