FORT PORTAL — The traditional head of the Babiito royal clan, Musuuga Charles Kayondo Kamurasi, has confirmed Prince Edward Rukidi Kiijanangoma as the new King of Tooro, despite an ongoing dispute within the royal family over the succession.
Speaking during the funeral service for the late King Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV at St John’s Cathedral in Fort Portal on Saturday, Kamurasi said the Babiito elders had reached an agreement on Kiijanangoma’s selection.
“I want to inform you, the people of Tooro and Uganda at large, that we have a King. We sat down and agreed on one thing: the King is Prince Edward Rukidi Kiijanangoma,” Kamurasi said.
“Whatever we have done, we have done within the laws of Uganda and the culture of Tooro,” he added.
Kamurasi, who is 80, is the traditional head of the Babiito royal clan and has been central to the process that followed Oyo’s death.
His confirmation comes amid objections from members of Oyo’s immediate family, particularly his mother, Queen Mother Best Kemigisa, and his sister, Princess Ruth Nsemere Komuntale.
Komuntale has maintained that Oyo left a biological son who, according to the late king’s reported will and her interpretation of Tooro tradition, should succeed him.
“We have the HEIR and we know him,” Komuntale said in a post on X on September 10.
She has also questioned why the Babiito leadership proceeded with the selection of Kiijanangoma despite the reported will.
The succession committee has, however, maintained that Kiijanangoma was selected in accordance with Tooro customs and Ugandan law.
During his remarks on Saturday, Kamurasi also paid tribute to Queen Mother Best Kemigisa for her role in raising and caring for Oyo.
He commended her for looking after the late king from childhood through his illness and for grooming him throughout his life.
Oyo became Omukama of Tooro in 1995 at the age of three and remained on the throne until his death on August 27, 2026, aged 34.
His funeral at St John’s Cathedral brought together members of the Tooro royal family, traditional leaders, political leaders and representatives of other Ugandan kingdoms.
The Nnaabagereka of Buganda, Sylvia Nagginda Luswata, attended the service and was seen comforting Queen Mother Kemigisa.
Prince David Kintu Wasajja, the Kabaka of Buganda’s brother, also attended the funeral, while Busoga Kingdom was represented by its Katukiiro, Dr Joseph Muvawala.
Deputy Speaker of Parliament Thomas Tayebwa was among the government officials who attended the service.
Following the funeral service, Oyo’s body was scheduled to be taken in procession to the Karambi Royal Tombs in Fort Portal for burial.
The confirmation of Kiijanangoma as king comes before the succession dispute has been conclusively resolved in public, with questions remaining over the reported biological son of the late king and the interpretation of his will.
For now, the Babiito clan leadership has made its position clear: Prince Edward Rukidi Kiijanangoma is the King of Tooro.
