A fresh dispute has emerged in Tooro Kingdom following the death of King Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV, after the Tooro Chief Prince and head of the Babiito royal clan, Charles Kamurasi Akiiki, challenged claims that the late monarch left behind a son to inherit the throne.
Kamurasi, popularly known as Omusuuga, said the royal family had never received any official information about the existence of a child belonging to King Oyo.
“The King had no child. I don’t know about it because we have never been told that,” Kamurasi said.
His remarks contradict earlier statements from Tooro Kingdom Prime Minister Calvin Armstrong Rwomiire Akiiki, who announced after King Oyo’s death that the late monarch had left behind a Prince who would eventually succeed him.
Rwomiire said the identity of the alleged heir would be revealed at the right time in accordance with Tooro traditions and customs.
President Yoweri Museveni also appeared to confirm the claim, saying Queen Mother Best Kemigisa had informed him that King Oyo had left behind a young son.
However, Kamurasi has questioned the source of the information, saying he does not know where the announcement about the heir came from.
He also questioned the authority of the Prime Minister to declare the existence of a successor, arguing that such matters should be handled by the royal family and the Babiito clan.
“Where did he get that information from? He has no right or power to make such an announcement because he is not a member of the Royal Family,” Kamurasi said.
The disagreement has created uncertainty around the future of the Tooro throne as the kingdom begins preparations for the succession process.
According to Kamurasi, the Babiito clan may have to examine other options within the wider royal lineage if no direct heir is confirmed.
He said the clan could return to the lineage of Omukama Rukidi III, the grandfather of the late King Oyo, to identify a possible successor.
“The issues have to be sorted out by the clan,” he said.
The role of Kamurasi in the process carries significant cultural importance because the Omusuuga is the head of the Babiito, the ruling royal clan of Tooro.
Traditionally, the Omusuuga takes charge of important cultural processes following the death of an Omukama, including funeral arrangements and succession matters.
Kamurasi is currently leading a 21-member committee of Babiito elders tasked with guiding the process of selecting the next King.
The committee is expected to consult widely, identify the rightful successor and oversee the cultural procedures required before the installation of a new Omukama.
The succession debate comes at a sensitive moment as Tooro mourns the passing of King Oyo, who died in the United States at the age of 34.
King Oyo became Omukama in 1995 at only three years old following the death of his father, Omukama Patrick Matthew Kaboyo Olimi III.
During his 31-year reign, he became one of Uganda’s most recognised cultural leaders and represented Tooro in various national and international events.
His death has now placed the responsibility of choosing the next custodian of the Tooro crown in the hands of the Babiito royal clan.
As consultations continue, the main question remains whether King Oyo truly left behind a son who qualifies to inherit the throne or whether the kingdom will have to select a successor from another branch of the royal lineage.
