The Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF) has dismissed claims that Karuziika Palace in Fort Portal has been placed under lockdown or that its royal guards were withdrawn.
UPDF Acting Director of Defence Public Information Col Chris Magezi said the army had instead reinforced security at the palace and surrounding areas to protect mourners and other people gathered there ahead of the burial of Tooro King Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV.
Magezi was responding to a statement by Tooro Queen Mother Best Kemigisa in which she alleged that royal guards had been withdrawn and UPDF soldiers deployed around the palace, leaving members of the royal family effectively under house arrest.
“The UPDF has NOT withdrawn the Tooro Royal Guards from the palace as alleged,” Magezi said in a statement issued Friday.
“Certainly, it is also not true that the residents of the Royal Palace are under lockdown or house arrest as suggested.”
Magezi said the army was not involved in the succession process following the death of King Oyo and had no role in determining his successor.
“In essence, the UPDF is not privy to or involved in the succession processes currently ongoing in the Tooro Kingdom,” he said.
He said additional security had been deployed because of the large number of people gathered at the palace and security concerns linked to the proximity of Tooro to threats emanating from eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.
“The UPDF leadership decided to reinforce the Royal Guards with additional security for the palace and the surrounding areas,” Magezi said.
He added that security personnel were closely monitoring movements in the area and had introduced access control measures, including searches and checks.
Magezi also explained that the visit to the palace by UPDF Commander Land Forces Lt Gen Kayanja Muhanga was not related to the succession dispute.
He said Muhanga visited to pay his last respects to the late King and inspect UPDF engineering works at the Royal Tombs, roads leading to the burial site and other rehabilitation projects.
“The CLF is satisfied that the UPDF Engineering Brigade has made excellent progress in executing the assigned works,” Magezi said.
He added that Muhanga was confident the works would be completed in time for the official burial of the King.
The UPDF also expressed condolences to Queen Mother Kemigisa, the royal family, the Tooro Kingdom and Ugandans following the death of King Oyo.
The clarification comes amid disagreements within the Tooro royal family over the succession of King Oyo, who died on August 27, 2026.
The King is scheduled to be buried on September 12.
