The Tooro Kingdom succession dispute has taken a dramatic new turn after two sons of Omusuuga Charles Kamurasi publicly rejected the position attributed to their father in support of the newly announced King, Prince Edward Kijanangoma Rukidi.
Prince Patrick Mpuuga and Prince Solomon Nyaika said their father had been influenced by self-interested individuals whom they accused of using him to advance an agenda within the kingdom.
The princes argued that the succession process should be guided by the wishes of the late Omukama, King Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV, rather than by a process they described as an attempt to vote or elect a monarch.
“A king is not voted. The Musuuga was hijacked by certain people,” the princes said in their criticism of the developments surrounding their father.
Their intervention has added another layer to an already bitter dispute that has divided members of the royal family, cultural leaders and sections of the Tooro establishment.
Row Over New King
The controversy erupted following the announcement of Prince Edward Kijanangoma Rukidi as the new King of Tooro, a development that has been disputed by sections of the royal family and kingdom officials.
The sons of Omusuuga Kamurasi said their father had retired during last year’s coronation anniversary and that the process of identifying and installing a new Musuuga was expected to commence thereafter.
They therefore questioned the authority under which their father is now participating in the succession debate.
The princes further argued that the late King Oyo’s will should be respected, maintaining that it provides guidance on the succession question.
Prince Patrick Mpuuga, in particular, said the will of King Oyo concerning succession must prevail over any competing arrangements.
‘Respect Oyo’s Will’
The position of the two princes appears to put them directly at odds with their father at a time when the kingdom is preparing to bury King Oyo.
Their intervention is significant because Omusuuga Kamurasi has been one of the prominent cultural figures involved in the unfolding succession discussions.
The princes’ remarks have also revived questions about who has the legitimate authority to determine the next Omukama and whether the process should be based on traditional succession arrangements, the late king’s wishes or decisions made by cultural institutions.
They rejected the suggestion that the monarch could simply be chosen through voting.
According to them, the institution of kingship is hereditary and rooted in established cultural traditions rather than electoral contests.
Succession Claims Multiply
The comments came as Tooro continued to grapple with competing claims over the identity of King Oyo’s successor.
The dispute intensified after veteran journalist Andrew Mwenda reported that a successor had been identified following a meeting of members of the Royal Succession Committee.
The announcement naming Prince George Desmond Kamurasi as a possible successor triggered confusion, with some cultural officials distancing themselves from the information.
The latest development involving Prince Kijanangoma has further complicated the situation, with different camps appearing to advance competing claims about who should occupy the throne.
Bireete Backs Oyo’s Wishes
The princes’ position has attracted attention beyond the kingdom. Dr Sarah Bireete, who has been commenting on the unfolding developments, said the latest events demonstrated how rapidly information from Tooro was changing.
“It looks like between now and Saturday, every breaking news from Tooro Kingdom will be broken in a matter of hours,” she wrote.
Bireete also highlighted the significance of the princes’ decision to distance themselves from their father’s position.
She said the sons had reminded their father that he retired after last year’s coronation and questioned whether he still possessed the authority he was claiming in the current succession dispute.
She further argued that King Oyo had the right to name his successor and that the late king’s wishes should be respected.
“King Oyo was a very peaceful King with global respect. His family should be protected as they mourn. Their grief is deeper and different,” Bireete said.
“A King had a right to name a successor and King Oyo named his. We hope Obumaka Bwa Tooro will maintain respect for their King.”
Museveni’s Heir Remarks
The intervention by the two princes comes at a particularly sensitive moment for Tooro, with preparations for King Oyo’s burial taking place amid intense disagreements over the kingdom’s future leadership.
The late king died after a prolonged illness, leaving behind a royal family now at the centre of a succession debate.
President Yoweri Museveni has previously said he was informed that King Oyo had a son and heir, a statement that has become an important element in the argument over succession.
Museveni’s remarks have fuelled questions about whether the late king’s wishes and the existence of an heir should take precedence in determining the next monarch.
The position taken by Princes Mpuuga and Nyaika appears to support those calling for greater consideration of the late king’s wishes.
‘Father Was Hijacked’
Their criticism of their father is also likely to deepen scrutiny of the role of cultural leaders in the succession process.
The princes’ assertion that their father was “hijacked” by self-seekers is particularly explosive because it suggests that individuals outside the immediate royal decision-making structures may be influencing the kingdom’s leadership. They did not, however, publicly identify the individuals they accused of hijacking their father.
The succession dispute has already attracted interventions from political, cultural and public figures, many of whom have called for calm and unity.
Calls For Peace
Former Assistant Inspector General of Police Asan Kasingye appealed for prayers for the kingdom, saying: “Let us all pray for Tooro Kingdom. May God restore the dignity, peace and sanctity of the Kingdom.”
Journalist Canary Mugume also drew attention to the extraordinary development, noting that the two sons of Omusuuga had rejected their father’s backing of the newly announced King Kijanangoma.
The disagreement between a father and his sons over such a sensitive cultural matter underscores the depth of the crisis confronting Tooro.
Burial Overshadowed By Succession
For the royal family and cultural institutions, the immediate challenge is how to resolve the competing claims without further damaging the dignity of the kingdom.
With King Oyo’s burial approaching, pressure is mounting on all sides to put aside their differences and ensure that the late monarch is laid to rest with the respect accorded to the institution of Omukama.
However, the public disagreement among members of the royal and cultural establishment means that the question of succession is unlikely to disappear with the burial.
Instead, the debate over who has the authority to determine the next Omukama, what role King Oyo’s alleged will should play, and whether the traditional institutions have followed the correct process is likely to continue.
Tooro Faces Uncertain Future
For now, Princes Mpuuga and Nyaika have made their position clear: they do not support the position attributed to their father and insist that King Oyo’s wishes must be respected.
Their intervention has transformed what was already a bitter institutional dispute into a deeply personal disagreement within the family of one of the kingdom’s senior cultural leaders.
As Tooro mourns its late king, the succession question remains unresolved, with competing camps claiming legitimacy and calling for their interpretation of tradition and the late monarch’s wishes to prevail.
Author Profile
- Mr. Stephen Kasozi Muwambi is a seasoned crime investigative writer, majoring in judicial-based stories. His two decades’ experience as a senior investigative journalist has made him one of the best to reckon on in Uganda. He can also be reached via [email protected]
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