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Four years before his death, the late Omukama Rukirabasaija Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV had already put his wishes concerning the future leadership of the Tooro Kingdom in writing.
The succession arrangements were contained in his Last Will and Testament, which was made and executed at Karuziika Palace in Fort Portal on September 14, 2022.
In the document, Oyo provided an order of succession beginning with a legally recognised biological son and then named two of his cousins as alternative successors in case a son was unable to inherit the throne.
The late King specifically stated that if he was survived by a lawfully recognised biological son, that son would become his heir to the Tooro throne.
Oyo further indicated that such succession should follow Section 4 of the Institution of Traditional or Cultural Leaders Act, 2011, together with the customs and traditions of the Tooro Kingdom.
However, the late Omukama also anticipated a situation in which he could die without a son capable of taking over the responsibilities of the throne.
In that situation, Oyo named his cousin Prince Komwiswa Yoweri, the son of Musuga Charles Kamurasi Akiiki, as the first alternative successor.
The will states that if Oyo had no son able to succeed him, or if his son died before assuming the throne, became permanently incapacitated or was otherwise unable to perform the duties of the crown, Komwiswa would become his heir and successor.
The wording in the document is significant because Oyo did not merely mention Komwiswa as one of several possible candidates. He expressly identified him as his heir and successor to the throne under the circumstances outlined in the will.
The late King also made provision for a situation in which Prince Komwiswa Yoweri himself would be unable to assume the throne.
In that case, Oyo named another cousin, Prince Nyaika Solomon, son of Musuga Charles Kamurasi Akiiki, who was identified as the late King’s paternal uncle.
The will therefore establishes a sequence involving three possible levels of succession: first, a legally recognised biological son capable of taking the throne; second, Prince Komwiswa Yoweri; and third, Prince Nyaika Solomon.
Oyo also expressed his desire that the succession process should be handled peacefully and with dignity rather than becoming a source of division within the kingdom.
In Article 10.3 of the will, he stated that he desired the succession provided for in the document to be recognised and implemented peacefully and with dignity.
He further directed that the installation of his successor should follow the customs and traditions of the Tooro Kingdom as well as the Institution of Traditional or Cultural Leaders Act, 2011.
The late Omukama also left a message for whoever would eventually inherit the crown, asking his successor to seek wisdom and to serve the people of Tooro with humility, justice, courage and compassion.
Oyo urged his successor to protect the dignity and unity of the kingdom, while reminding the future King that leadership should be understood as stewardship.
The will also contained provisions for circumstances that might require a regency, guardianship, advisory council or another transitional arrangement following his death.
Oyo directed that anyone entrusted with such responsibilities should work collectively and focus on the stability, dignity and continuity of the institution of the Omukama.
The contents of the will have become particularly significant following the death of Oyo and the emergence of competing positions over who should succeed him as King of Tooro.
The late King died at the age of 34 after reigning for more than three decades, having ascended the throne as a child following the death of his father, King Patrick Matthew Kaboyo Olimi III.
The 2022 document now provides a written account of the succession choices Oyo made years before his death, naming a biological son as the preferred successor where applicable, followed by Prince Komwiswa Yoweri and Prince Nyaika Solomon under the specified circumstances.
As Tooro deals with the succession dispute, the will has become an important part of the discussion because it records what the late Omukama himself wrote about the future of the crown four years before his death.
