A fresh dispute has erupted within the Tooro Kingdom royal family following the announcement of Prince Edward Kijanangoma as the purported successor to the late Omukama Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV.
Princess Ruth Komuntale, sister to the late King Oyo, has rejected the announcement, describing it as “dramatic” and insisting that no successor was confirmed during a meeting where the matter was reportedly discussed.
Komuntale made the remarks in an exclusive interview with NBS TV on Wednesday evening, hours after reports emerged that Kijanangoma had been identified as the next king of Tooro.
According to the princess, the meeting in which the succession question was discussed did not conclusively endorse any individual as the successor to the late monarch.
She further disclosed that another meeting had been scheduled for Thursday to continue discussions surrounding the leadership and succession of the kingdom.
Komuntale’s remarks have therefore thrown the succession process into fresh uncertainty, particularly at a time when attention has increasingly turned to who should occupy the throne following the death of King Oyo.
“Stop the stupid drama, respect my brother,” Komuntale reportedly said, expressing frustration over what she described as premature announcements concerning the succession of her late brother.
The princess maintained that King Oyo did not leave the question of succession unresolved.
According to Komuntale, the late monarch left behind a will and gave instructions regarding who should succeed him as Omukama of Tooro.
“One thing is certain: King Oyo left behind an heir,” she said, according to the account of her interview.
Her position was reportedly backed by other members of the Tooro royal family, including Princess Elizabeth Bagaya, who also rejected the announcement of Kijanangoma as the successor.
The disagreement has added another layer to an already sensitive period for the kingdom, which is still dealing with the death of King Oyo and the question of how his succession should be handled in accordance with royal traditions and the wishes of the deceased monarch.
The announcement of Prince Edward Kijanangoma had generated significant attention, with reports suggesting that his name had emerged from consultations involving members of the kingdom’s leadership and royal family.
However, Komuntale’s rejection now raises questions about the status of that announcement and whether the succession process has been formally concluded.
Of particular significance is her claim that the meeting involving Minister Gen. Henry Tumukunde did not produce a final decision on the next king.
She said the participants instead agreed to hold a follow-up meeting on Thursday, suggesting that consultations over the succession were still ongoing.
The disagreement comes at a critical moment for Tooro, where the institution of the Omukama carries considerable cultural and historical significance.
King Oyo, who became one of the world’s youngest reigning monarchs after ascending the throne as a child, had remained a central figure in the cultural life of the kingdom for decades.
His death has consequently created a major transition for the Tooro royal institution.
Komuntale’s assertion that her brother left behind an heir is likely to intensify interest in the contents of the alleged will and the instructions he reportedly gave concerning his successor.
For now, however, the royal family appears divided over the validity of the Kijanangoma announcement.
With another meeting reportedly scheduled for Thursday, attention is expected to turn to whether the royal family and other stakeholders can reach a consensus on the succession question.
Until then, Komuntale’s rejection makes it clear that the announcement of a new Tooro king has not been universally accepted within the royal family.
The dispute also raises broader questions about who has the authority to formally declare a successor and whether the late king’s alleged will and instructions will ultimately determine who takes over the Tooro throne.
As consultations continue, the royal family faces the delicate task of resolving the succession dispute while preserving the dignity of the late King Oyo and the traditions of the Tooro Kingdom.
