Queen Mother Best Kemigisa has accused a group of Tooro clan members of reopening an old succession dispute while her son, the late King Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV, remains unburied.
Queen Mother Best Kemigisa has broken her silence on the escalating dispute over the Tooro throne, accusing some clan leaders of disrespecting her family and deliberately reigniting a succession battle just days before the burial of her only son, the late Omukama Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV.
In a strongly worded letter dated September 10, 2026, the Queen Mother said she was writing with a “heavy heart”, recounting the succession controversy that followed the death of her husband, former Omukama Patrick Matthew Kaboyo Olimi III.
She said she was only 26 years old when her husband died and was in the United Kingdom receiving treatment for their young daughter, Cecilia. At the time, she said, Oyo was only two years old.
“When I came home to bury my husband, Omukama Patrick, and grieve, instead we immediately had to fight for my son’s right to be King,” she wrote.
According to Kemigisa, members of the Babito clan argued that Oyo was too young to occupy the throne at the age of three. They also reportedly argued that his father had not left a will naming him as successor and that his uncle should therefore inherit the throne under the will of former Omukama Rukidi.
The dispute eventually went to court, where Kemigisa said she and her son prevailed.
‘They ignored us when my daughter died’
The Queen Mother said the pain of that succession battle was compounded by the death of her daughter, Cecilia, who died from leukemia a few years later.
She accused the same clan leaders now involved in the succession controversy of failing to support her family during that difficult period. “None of these clan leaders you saw today came to see us or helped us bury her,” she said.
Despite the challenges, Kemigisa said Oyo went on to serve Tooro for 31 years, building relationships across Uganda and internationally.
She described him as a king who was loved by his people and supported by President Yoweri Museveni.
“By the grace of God, my son went on to serve Tooro for 31 years. He made friends across Uganda and around the world,” she wrote.
“The people loved him and stood with him; the President supported him, and together they built Tooro Kingdom into what it is today.”
Kemigisa said the death of Oyo on August 27 from cancer had therefore brought immense grief to the royal family.
“On 27th August, I lost my only son, King Oyo, to cancer,” she wrote. She expressed gratitude to President Museveni, saying he had done everything possible to ensure that Oyo was brought back to Tooro with the dignity he deserved.
She also thanked the UPDF engineering brigade and the Chief of Defence Forces for supporting preparations for the royal burial.
Succession announcement deepened grief
According to the Queen Mother, the succession controversy resurfaced even before the royal family could reach Fort Portal. She said that while the family had reached Kyenjojo on their way to the kingdom, journalist Andrew Mwenda announced that a group of clan members had selected another king.
Kemigisa said none of the people involved had contacted her to offer condolences for the death of her son, ask about his will or inquire about any plans he had left regarding succession.
“Not one of them had called me to say sorry for the loss of my son or ask about his will or plans King Oyo had left,” she wrote.
The issue has centred on claims that Oyo left a son who could have a claim to the throne.
President Museveni has previously said Queen Mother Kemigisa informed him about Oyo having a son and that she had told him about the King’s illness during the 2025 election period.
However, the succession claim has been challenged by some Tooro cultural leaders. In a reaction to Kemigisa’s letter, Omusuuga Charles Kamurasi asked the royal family to produce the alleged son.
“The question is very simple, where’s the son you allege that was left behind by King Oyo? Show us the son and we shall proceed,” Kamurasi wrote.
His remarks underline the central disagreement now threatening to overshadow the late king’s burial.
Will read before royal representatives
Kemigisa’s letter also revealed that Oyo’s will was read at 4pm before representatives of the royal family and Government.
Among those present, according to her, were the Musuuga, Princess Ruth Komuntale, Princess Margaret Kombuaizi, also known as Muka Joy, Father Oyo, Monsignor Father Mayombo and Maj Gen Henry Tumukunde, who represented the President in his capacity as Minister of Gender, Labour and Social Development.
She said the will “clearly set out the order of succession to the Tooro throne”. The parties, she said, agreed to meet the following day under the chairmanship of Gen Tumukunde.
But she accused the clan members of disregarding that understanding.
“That same evening, while my son’s body was still lying next to us, these select clan members held a press conference and declared their own King in disregard of the Will and the agreement with the minister,” she wrote.
For Kemigisa, the timing of the announcement was particularly painful. “They could have done this anywhere else. Instead, they chose to jubilate while my son was still lying in his coffin next to them,” she said.
She said the incident had devastated her daughter and deepened the grief of the royal family.
Security deployment raises fresh concerns
The Queen Mother also addressed the deployment of security forces around Karuziika Palace, saying it had further restricted the movement of members of the royal family.
She claimed that three days before Oyo’s burial, Gen Kayanja Muhanga went to the palace and removed the royal guards without notice before troops were deployed around the palace.
She further alleged that the Musuuga was taken away to a location that the royal family was not told.
“And now, with the security deployment around the Palace, we cannot leave or receive people freely. We are under house arrest,” she wrote.
The allegations come amid heightened tension in Tooro as preparations intensify for Oyo’s burial, scheduled for September 12.
Kemigisa appealed directly to Gen Muhanga, the UPDF leadership and President Museveni to allow the royal family to mourn and bury Oyo peacefully.
“I appeal to Gen. Kayanja Muhanga, UPDF leadership, and the President to allow our family the freedom and dignity to mourn and bury King Oyo in peace,” she said.
‘Let us bury my son’
The Queen Mother also appealed to those involved in the succession dispute to suspend their battle until after the burial.
“I also 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,” she wrote.
She ended the letter by remembering Oyo as both a son and monarch who served Tooro for 31 years.
“He was a good son. He was a good King. He loved Tooro and served his people for 31 years. Most importantly, he served God,” she said.
“He has gone to be with the Lord. Please allow us to send him home with the dignity and respect he deserves.”
Sympathy and defiance
The letter immediately attracted emotional reactions from Tooro figures and supporters on social media.
PLU’s Frank Mwesigye described it as “a heartbreaking letter” from the Queen Mother.
Newly appointed king, Rukidi Edward Kijanangoma also expressed solidarity with Kemigisa, saying he would not engage in a throne battle while the late King remained unburied.
“At no point will I be engaged in any throne battle yet my dear King remains unburied,” he said, adding the Tooro expressions, “Amata gatikire! Enkuba etutiire!”
Kamurasi, however, maintained his challenge over the alleged heir, demanding that the son said to have been left by Oyo be presented.
The competing positions have left Tooro facing a delicate moment: the kingdom is preparing to bury a king who reigned for 31 years while disagreements over his successor threaten to dominate the final days of mourning.
For Kemigisa, however, the immediate priority is clear — the succession question can wait, but her son must first be laid to rest with the dignity befitting a king.
Author Profile
- Charles Gazza Kodili is a seasoned journalist with over 20 years of experience in the media industry. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Mass Communication. He’s currently the Chief Editor at the Investigator.
Charles can also be reached via; Tel: +256 774 108978
Email: [email protected]
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