Uganda: Tooro Queen Mother Rejects Kijanangoma Selection

What the report says

The Tooro Queen Mother, Best Kemigisa, has rejected the selection of Prince Edward Rukidi Kijanangoma as the next king of Uganda’s Tooro Kingdom, setting up a public dispute over the succession of the late King Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV. According to The Independent, the disagreement is centered in Fort Portal and has emerged as the kingdom prepares for Oyo’s burial at the Karambi Royal Tombs on Saturday.

Kemigisa said the 21-member succession committee ignored what was presented as King Oyo’s will and had also gone against an earlier understanding that succession matters would be delayed until after the burial. She argued that the announcement was made while the king’s body was still lying in state, and called for the family and authorities to focus first on mourning and funeral arrangements. She also said she had not been properly consulted and raised concern about security at Karuziika Palace.

The report says other members of the royal family, including Princess Ruth Komuntale Nsemere and Princesses Elizabeth Bagaya and Margaret Komubaizi, also opposed the selection. By contrast, the Babiito clan defended the process and said traditional rules should guide the choice of the next monarch. The article adds that questions about an alleged son of the late king were part of the committee’s discussions, though the report says those claims were disputed and not independently confirmed.