Queen Mother of Tooro Mourns King Oyo, Condemns Succession Disputes, and Unveils Ambitious Legacy Projects
Her Royal Highness Best Kemigisa, the Queen Mother of Tooro, has issued a comprehensive and deeply emotional “Statement of Appreciation” following the passing of her son, King Oyo. The statement serves as both a grieving mother’s tribute and a firm call for peace, dignity, and the preservation of the late King’s legacy amidst a highly contentious succession process.
Speaking “first and foremost as a mother,” the Queen Mother expressed the profound, indescribable pain of losing her only son. “King Oyo was my son before he was my King. I held him as a little boy… I watched him become a man, a leader, and an Omukama loved far beyond the borders of Tooro,” she wrote, noting that her heart remains broken.
Despite her grief, she extended profound gratitude to the people of Tooro, Ugandans, and the international community who stood with her family. She offered special thanks to President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni for his unwavering support during the King’s illness, his assistance in bringing the King home for a dignified farewell, and his agreement to serve as Patron and Founding Chairman of the King Oyo Memorial Foundation.
The Succession Controversy
The Queen Mother used the statement to candidly address the “extraordinarily painful” events that followed her son’s death. She revealed that only hours after King Oyo passed, a committee was formed to choose a new king, with an announcement made while his body was still being transported home to Tooro.
She further detailed that a second king was announced immediately after the reading of King Oyo’s Will, with loud celebrations taking place only meters from where her son’s body lay.
“This left me deeply saddened,” she stated. “Whatever disagreements existed, no child should ever be placed in circumstances where returning to his father’s homeland could mean being drawn into hostility and conflict.” She revealed that King Oyo’s child, who was expected to return from Texas, did not accompany the family due to safety concerns.
The Queen Mother also expressed devastation over broken pre-burial agreements. An MOU was reportedly signed between her representatives, government leaders, the Musuga, and the Babiito Clan to ensure a dignified burial without succession disputes. However, she stated that the understandings reached were not honored at Karambi, causing profound distress to her and her daughter, Princess Komuntale.
Despite this, she emphasized a commitment to peace: “I do not want anger to have the final word. I want gratitude, faith, hope and service to have the final word.”
A Legacy of Service
Refusing to let grief end King Oyo’s story, the Queen Mother and her daughter, Princess Ruth Nsemere Komuntale Farquharson Akiiki, have committed to building his legacy through several major initiatives:
· The King Oyo Memorial Foundation: Established to ensure the King’s life continues to touch the lives of Ugandans for generations.
· The King Oyo Tooro Museum: A permanent collection of the King’s personal belongings and important objects, aimed at preserving Tooro’s history, boosting tourism in Fort Portal, and creating economic opportunities for local businesses and youth.
· The King Oyo International Stadium: Fulfilling the King’s dream, the statement highlights his donation of approximately 50 acres of land to the government for a stadium to help young Ugandans develop sporting talent and build careers.
· The King Oyo Research & Teaching Hospital: A modern teaching and research hospital in Tooro, including dedicated Cancer and HIV Research Centres, to treat patients, train health professionals, and support early detection.
· The King Oyo Model Farm at Bugaaki: Expanding the late King’s farm into a centre for agricultural education, innovation, and community outreach.
“These projects are not simply monuments bearing King Oyo’s name. They are his legacy put to work for the people,” the statement read. “This is how Princess Ruth and I want to mourn King Oyo: not only with tears, but with service.”
A Message to the Nation
In her concluding remarks, the Queen Mother addressed the youth of Uganda, urging them never to believe their age prevents them from making a difference, just as her son did when he ascended the throne at only three years old. She also spoke directly to parents, urging them to hold their children close and cherish ordinary days.
“My son has finished his earthly journey, but his story has not ended,” she affirmed. “Let us build rather than divide. Let us serve rather than fight.”
She concluded with a heartfelt “Mwebale muno” (Thank you very much) to all who supported her family, invoking blessings upon the people of Tooro, Uganda, and the soul of her beloved son, His Majesty Rukirabasaija Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukiidi IV.
About The Author
