The Tooro Kingdom in Uganda has become embroiled in a dramatic succession dispute reminiscent of Hollywood scripts following the recent death of King Oyo Nyimba. The late monarch’s family rejected the choice made by clan members who appointed a news presenter as the new king, according to reports.
Despite being a constitutional republic, Uganda is home to several ancient kingdoms whose leaders are revered as symbols of tradition and hold significant social influence.
King Oyo ascended to the throne in 1995 at the tender age of three, becoming the youngest reigning monarch globally. He passed away on August 27 at the age of 34 while receiving treatment for cancer in the United States. His burial is set for Saturday.
A News Presenter Named as New King
The royal clan’s succession committee announced on Wednesday the selection of Prince Edward Rukidi Kijanangoma, a news presenter and editor at the public television station UBC, as the new king. Kijanangoma is a cousin of the late king.
However, Princess Ruth Komuntale, Oyo’s sister, stated in a press conference shortly after the committee’s announcement that her brother’s will specified that his son should inherit the throne.
The kingdom’s spokesperson released a copy of the relevant portion of the will, dated September 14, 2022, which reads: “I declare and direct that if at the time of my death I am survived by a son legally recognized as my biological child, I appoint him as my heir to the Throne of the Tooro Kingdom.”
Queen Kemigisa, Oyo’s mother, condemned a “self-appointed group of clan members” for choosing a new king just hours after the will was read.
She also claimed that the Ugandan army had removed the royal guards from the palace without notice and placed the family under house arrest.
A spokesperson for the Ugandan army did not immediately respond to a request for comment from the media.
Identity of Oyo’s Son Remains Unknown
King Oyo, who served as a goodwill ambassador for the United Nations and advocated against HIV/AIDS, never married, and it was publicly unknown if he had children.
Calvin Armstrong Rwomiire Akiiki, the prime minister of the Tooro Kingdom, revealed the existence of a purported son in a social media message on August 27, the same day he announced Oyo’s death.
He stated that the late king left behind “a prince as his rightful heir, whose identity will be revealed officially at the appropriate time.”
Call for Calm in the Kingdom
Prominent Ugandan journalist Andrew Mwenda, a relative of the royal family, wrote on social media that Oyo’s family had been unable to present a photograph of the alleged son and refused to provide details about the boy’s mother’s family.
He added that in Tooro, a king’s son may succeed him only if born to a queen who was officially married to the king. Prime Minister Armstrong called for calm among all parties involved in the dispute.
“There will be time to examine the will, to hear from those holding a different position, and to consider our customs, applicable laws, and the competent institutions through which succession should be established,” he wrote on social media.
“This process should be conducted calmly and credibly, not through competing announcements, confrontations, or attempts to impose a factual situation while our King is still awaiting burial,” he urged.
