Uganda: King Oyo’s family disputes his successor, citing an unknown son

The existence of this child, previously unknown to the public, was mentioned following Oyo’s death on August 27 in the United States. The kingdom’s Prime Minister, Calvin Armstrong Rwomiire Akiiki, had announced that the monarch left behind “a prince as heir,” without revealing his identity.

Princess Ruth Komuntale, the king’s only sister, stated at a press conference that her brother’s will stipulates that a legally recognized son should succeed him. Reuters reports that it has reviewed the portion of the document dated September 14, 2022, which establishes this condition.

This version directly conflicts with the decision of the Babiito clan’s succession committee, which selected Edward Rukidi Kijanangoma. A journalist and presenter at Uganda Broadcasting Corporation, this cousin of Oyo was introduced on Wednesday as the next ruler of Tooro.

A royal family calling for a suspension of the battle

Queen Mother Best Kemigisa publicly criticized the timing of this appointment, which occurred while her son has yet to be buried. In a statement relayed on Thursday by the Daily Monitor, she requested that the family be allowed to mourn first and that discussions regarding the succession resume after the funeral.

She also claimed that royal guards had been removed from the palace and that the family was under a form of “house arrest.” Reuters notes that a spokesperson for the Ugandan army did not immediately respond to a request for comment. This accusation remains attributed to the queen mother.

The situation is further complicated by the fact that Oyo was not married and had never publicly acknowledged a child. The question of whether the mentioned son can be recognized as an heir under Tooro customs is now at the heart of the conflict between the late king’s family and part of the royal clan.

A will at the center of attention

The kingdom’s Prime Minister has called for calm among the parties, stating that the will, customs, and applicable rules must be examined credibly before any final decision is made. The Guardian also reports that the identity of the son has not yet been publicly revealed.

Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV ascended to the throne in 1995 at the age of three, becoming the youngest reigning monarch in the world. He died at 34 after undergoing treatment for cancer in the United States. His funeral is scheduled for Saturday, September 12, at the royal tombs in Fort Portal, where thousands of people are expected.