Tooro Queen Mother appeals for peace as royal succession dispute deepens after King Oyo’s death

FORT PORTAL, September 10, 2026 — Tooro Kingdom Queen Mother, Best Kemigisa, has appealed for peace and restraint amid a dispute over the succession to the Tooro throne following the death of King Oyo Rukidi IV.

In a statement issued on Thursday, Kemigisa said her family was still grieving the death of her only son when a group of clan members announced the selection of another king, which she said was contrary to the late king’s will and an agreement reached with the Government.

King Oyo died on August 27, 2026, after battling cancer. He had served as the king of Tooro for 31 years.

Kemigisa said the succession dispute had caused further distress to the royal family at a time when preparations were being made to bury the late king.

“I write this with a heavy heart,” Kemigisa said, recounting the challenges she faced after the death of her husband, Omukama Patrick, when Oyo was only three years old.

She said some members of the Babiito clan had initially argued that Oyo was too young to become king and that his father had left no will naming him as successor.

The matter was taken to court, where, according to Kemigisa, Oyo eventually prevailed and went on to become king.

She also recalled losing her daughter, Cecilia Oyo, to leukaemia a few years later.

Kemigisa said Oyo subsequently served Tooro for three decades, building relationships across Uganda and internationally and receiving support from President Yoweri Museveni.

“By the grace of God, my son went on to serve Tooro for 31 years,” she said, adding that the people loved and supported him.

However, she said tensions escalated following his death, particularly after a group of clan members reportedly announced that they had chosen another king while preparations for Oyo’s burial were still under way.

According to Kemigisa, the announcement was made while the late king’s body was still at the Palace.

She said the group could have chosen another time to make the announcement but instead did so while the royal family was mourning.

“That is what has hurt us most. My daughter is devastated. Our family is grieving,” she said.

Kemigisa also expressed concern over the deployment of security personnel around the Palace.

She said that, three days before her son’s burial, Gen Kayanja Muhanga came to the Palace and removed the royal guards without notice, after which troops were deployed around the Palace.

She said members of the royal family were subsequently unable to leave or receive visitors freely, describing the situation as equivalent to being under house arrest.

The Queen Mother appealed to Gen Muhanga, the Uganda People’s Defence Forces leadership and President Museveni to allow the royal family to mourn and bury King Oyo with dignity.

Kemigisa said Oyo’s will had been read at 4pm before representatives of the Royal Family and Government, including the Musuuga, Princess Komuntale, Princess Margaret Komubaizi, Father Oyo, Monsignor Father Mayombo and Maj Gen Henry Tumukunde, who represented the President.

She said the will clearly set out the order of succession to the Tooro throne and that the parties had agreed to meet the following day under Tumukunde’s chairmanship.

However, she said members of the clan later held a press conference and announced their own king, despite the will and the agreement reached with the minister.

Kemigisa also acknowledged the Government’s efforts to facilitate the return of her son’s body to Tooro and prepare for his burial.

She thanked President Museveni for ensuring that Oyo was brought home with dignity and the UPDF engineering brigade for beginning work on the royal grave and roads leading to the royal tombs.

The Queen Mother urged those involved in the succession dispute to put aside their differences until after the burial.

“I also appeal to those fighting over the throne: please, there will be time for all of that. Let us grieve and bury my son King Oyo,” she said.

She described Oyo as a good son and king who loved Tooro and served its people for 31 years.

“Most importantly, he served God,” she said, appealing for her son to be sent off with the dignity and respect he deserved.

https://thecooperator.news/tooro-king-dead/

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