Queen Mother Accuses Clan of Disrespect, Appeals for Peaceful Burial of King Oyo
Fort Portal, Uganda – A bitter succession dispute has erupted in the Tooro Kingdom just days before the burial of the late King Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV, with the Queen Mother, Best Kemigisa, releasing a heartfelt public letter detailing a series of betrayals and alleging she is effectively under house arrest.
In a letter addressed to the public, a grieving Queen Mother Kemigisa expressed shock and pain over the actions of some clan members who announced a new king while her son’s body lay in state. She also appealed to the military leadership to lift restrictions around the palace so the family can mourn in peace.
A History of Struggle and Loss
The Queen Mother’s letter recounts a life marked by tragedy, from the death of her husband, Omukama Patrick, when their son Oyo was just two years old, to the loss of her daughter Cecilia to leukemia. She notes that many of the clan leaders now involved in the succession dispute were absent during those times of personal grief.
Despite these challenges, she wrote that her son went on to serve Tooro for 31 years, building friendships and developing the kingdom with the support of the people and the President .
The Dispute Over Succession
The succession crisis began shortly after King Oyo’s death on August 27 in the United States, where he was receiving cancer treatment. While President Yoweri Museveni announced that the late king had left behind a young son and heir , a faction of the Babiito royal clan instead appointed Prince Edward Kijanangoma Rukidi as the new king .
Queen Mother Kemigisa claims the clan acted in disregard of a will read just before the announcement, which clearly outlined the order of succession. The will reportedly names King Oyo’s son as the first heir, followed by other princes . Princess Ruth Komuntale, King Oyo’s sister, has also publicly rejected the appointment, stating her brother left a clear heir .
“I appeal to those fighting over the throne: please, there will be time for all of that. Let us grieve and bury my son King Oyo,” Kemigisa wrote.
Allegations of Intimidation and “House Arrest”
The Queen Mother also raised serious concerns about security forces. She stated that Gen. Kayanja Muhanga arrived at the palace and removed royal guards, replacing them with troops who now restrict access to the compound.
“We cannot leave or receive people freely. We are under house arrest,” she alleged, appealing to the UPDF leadership and the President to allow the family the freedom to mourn .
Security around the palace has been a point of contention since the King’s death, with access restricted even for kingdom subjects and senior royals . While the government has ordered an official burial and the UPDF is assisting with preparations, the heavy military presence has created a standoff .
A Kingdom in Mourning
Despite the political turmoil, preparations for the burial are proceeding. King Oyo, who ascended the throne at just three years old in 1995, is scheduled to be buried on Saturday, September 12, at the Karambi Royal Tombs . The government has declared an official burial, with flags flying at half-mast .
Foreign delegations have also expressed interest in attending the funeral .
The Queen Mother ended her letter with a plea for peace: “Please allow us to send him home with the dignity and respect he deserves. He was a good son. He was a good King.”
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