Succession within Uganda's Tooro kingdom is contested following the passing of King Oyo.

The Tooro kingdom of Uganda has appointed television news presenter Prince Edward Rukidi Kijanangoma as its new monarch, but this succession has been contested by the mother of the late King Oyo Nyimba, just days prior to his interment.

The kingdom’s royal lineage succession committee revealed on Wednesday (September 9) that Kijanangoma, who also serves as an editor at state broadcaster UBC, has been chosen to follow in Oyo’s footsteps.

Yet, Queen Mother Her Majesty Best Kemigisa stated on Thursday, September 10, that the decision disregarded her son’s wishes, which she claimed clearly outlined the succession protocol for the Tooro throne.

Kemigisa mentioned that Oyo’s will was disclosed on the day he passed away in the presence of royal family members and government officials, including a minister representing the president. She stated that those in attendance had agreed to reconvene the following day to deliberate on the succession.

According to the Queen Mother, a faction of clan members instead held a press conference that same evening and proclaimed a new king while Oyo’s remains were still at the palace.

She also noted that security forces had been stationed around the palace, restricting royal family members from freely departing or welcoming visitors. She urged the Ugandan government and military to permit the family to grieve and lay Oyo to rest in peace.

The statement, however, did not explicitly name the individual designated as successor in Oyo’s will.

Throwback

Oyo passed away on August 27 in the United States, where he had been undergoing treatment for cancer. He was 34 years old.

His mother recounted that she had encountered a succession conflict when Oyo ascended to the throne at the tender age of three in 1995. She stated that some royal clan members contended he was too young to reign and sought to have his uncle take the throne. This issue was taken to court, where Oyo ultimately triumphed, according to her account.

Oyo subsequently ruled for 31 years and earned the title of the world’s youngest reigning monarch when he was crowned at the age of three, as recorded by Guinness World Records. He also acted as a United Nations goodwill ambassador and championed HIV and AIDS awareness.

The Tooro Kingdom

Tooro is one of Uganda’s traditional kingdoms. While these kingdoms do not hold constitutional political authority in contemporary Uganda, they maintain significant cultural and social sway, particularly within their historic territories.

The succession conflict arises as preparations are underway for Oyo’s burial at the royal tombs adjacent to his palace in Fort Portal.

The Queen Mother expressed that President Yoweri Museveni had facilitated the return of Oyo’s body to Uganda and that government forces had commenced work on the royal grave and the access roads to the tombs.

She conveyed her appreciation for that assistance but criticized the decision to announce a new king before her son’s burial.

“Let us mourn and lay my son King Oyo to rest,” she stated in her message, imploring those involved in the succession dispute to allow the family to grieve.