Uganda’s Tooro Kingdom has named Prince Edward Rukidi Kijanangoma as its new king, but Queen Mother Best Kemigisa has challenged the succession decision.
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The Toro Kingdom of Uganda is witnessing a succession dispute following the demise of its king, Oyo Nyimba, after the royal clan appointed Prince Edward Rukidi Kijanangoma as his successor.
The royal clan of the kingdom announced on September 9 that Prince Kijanangoma, who is also a TV news anchor and an editor with state broadcaster UBC, would be their new king.
On September 10, however, Queen Mother Best Kemigisa disputed the choice, stating that the decision did not respect Oyo’s will, which clearly stated the line of succession for the Tooro Kingdom.
Kemigisa stated that Oyo’s will was read on the very day he died, in the presence of royal family members and government officials. However, she argued that those who were present had agreed to hold a meeting the following day to deliberate on the succession issue.
She went on to argue that some members of the clan proclaimed another king at a press conference that evening, while Oyo’s body was still at the palace. She further accused security personnel of surrounding the palace and restricting the movement of Oyo’s clan members.
Tooro Kingdom Succession Dispute
Oyo passed away in the US on August 27 while undergoing cancer treatment. He was 34 years old and had ruled Tooro for 31 years since becoming king at just three years old in 1995.
According to Oyo’s mother, when he first became king, some members of the clan were sceptical about his ability to rule because of his young age, but he ultimately won the case in court.
Guinness World Records identified Oyo as the world’s youngest monarch when he was crowned at the age of three. In addition, he was a UN goodwill ambassador and participated in HIV and AIDS awareness programmes.
The Toro Kingdom has no political power in modern-day Uganda, despite retaining cultural and social influence in its traditional setting.
The dispute comes as preparations continue for Oyo’s burial at the royal tombs near his palace in Fort Portal. Kemigisa confirmed that President Museveni had helped bring Oyo’s remains back to Uganda. Business Honor observes that the dispute has added uncertainty to preparations for the burial of King Oyo and the future leadership of the Tooro Kingdom.
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