Toro Kingdom Succession Dispute Deepens as Andrew Mwenda Clarifies Process
FORT PORTAL — The ongoing succession dispute in the Tooro Kingdom has intensified following a statement by the Queen Mother (QM), Best Kemigisa, which has compelled Andrew Mwenda to issue a detailed clarification regarding the process that led to the selection of a new king.
Mwenda, who has been central to the succession deliberations, stated that the Queen Mother’s claim that he announced a decision by a “self-appointed group of clan members” constitutes “a gross insult to our kingdom and its cultural institutions.”
Background of the Succession Process
According to Mwenda’s account, King Oyo died on August 26, 2026. As per Toro customs, a general meeting of the Babiito clan — the royal clan of the Toro Kingdom — was convened at the palace (Karuziika) in Fort Portal City on August 28, 2026, to decide the future of the kingdom.
More than 100 Babiito (princes and princesses) attended the meeting, which selected a team of 21 members to form the Royal Succession Committee, headed by a Musuuga (Prince Regent or caretaker). The committee commenced its work on August 31, 2026, with the primary aim of finding a new king.
No Prior Knowledge of Oyo’s Son
Mwenda emphasized that up until the time of Oyo’s death, there had never been any official or even informal communication to the Babiito that King Oyo had sired a child, let alone a son.
During the committee’s deliberations, four candidates were presented:
- George Desmond Kamurasi, son of Prince Jimmy Mugenyi
- A purported son of Oyo, initially called Jacob Oyo and later changed to Jackson Oyo
- George David Kamurasi, son of Prince Kato Rukidi
- Edward Rukiidi Kijanangoma, son of Prince Kijanangoma
Questions Surrounding Purported Son
The purported son of Oyo was presented to the committee by Patrick Kawamara, brother of the Queen Mother. Kawamara had been placed on the committee to represent the interests of the QM (otherwise called Nyina omukama owempeeka).
According to Mwenda, when Kawamara was asked to produce a photograph of the purported son, he could not. When the committee requested the clan of the mother, Kawamara said she is a Muhinda. When asked for her family in Toro, he declined to disclose it.
“None of the relatives on Oyo’s paternal side (Ababiito) had ever heard of the existence of this purported son,” Mwenda stated.
The committee noted that it had received two different names for the purported son, and there was no photograph of him, while all other candidates had to be represented with photos. The committee found this dubious and decided to remove Oyo’s purported son from the list of considerations.
Voting and Selection
After four days of deliberations, a vote was taken by secret ballot. George Kamurasi received 15 votes, while the other candidates received one vote each.
Mwenda clarified that he personally supported Kamurasi’s selection. He also addressed claims circulating on social media, stating that Kamurasi did not decline the throne. Rather, Kamurasi asked for time to consult his wife and business partners in London. However, the kingdom was time-barred and decided on the next suitable candidate, who was announced on the evening of September 8, 2026.
Meeting with the Queen Mother
On Tuesday, September 8, 2026, a meeting was held at the palace bringing together the Queen Mother and the Babiito. In attendance were Msgr Mayombo, Fr Oyo, Charles Kamurasi (Musuuga), her brothers Patrick Kawamara, Misaki Kawamara, Mujaguzi, another brother, and her young sister.
During that meeting, the Queen Mother stated that she would not disclose anything about Oyo’s purported son until the reading of his will.
Reading of the Will
On September 9, 2026, the lawyer read the will to the same group. This time, Ruth Komuntale, Oyo’s sister and Batebe to the kingdom, and Princess Margaret Komubaizi (Mukajoyi) attended.
According to Mwenda, the will was written on September 14, 2022, and contains only a hypothetical heir.
Cultural Requirements for Succession
Mwenda emphasized that in Toro, it is not automatic that a king’s son becomes heir to the throne. He explained that the son would have to have been born to a Mutoro queen officially married to the king (omugowekitebe).
“A king cannot sleep with a prostitute on the street or a house maid, produce a son and it is hoisted onto the throne,” Mwenda stated. “This is not to suggest that Oyo did any of this. It is simply to say that he was not officially married, and if he left a son, Toro needs to know the mother and her background.”
Conclusion
The succession dispute in Toro Kingdom remains unresolved, with the Queen Mother’s statement and Mwenda’s clarification highlighting deep divisions within the royal family and the kingdom’s cultural institutions. The reading of the will has done little to resolve the matter, as it contains only a hypothetical heir. The kingdom now awaits further developments as the Babiito and the Queen Mother continue to navigate this delicate and culturally significant process.
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