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President Yoweri Museveni has said the government will be ready to work with the new King of Tooro once the ongoing dispute over the succession of the late King Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV is resolved.
Museveni’s message was delivered by Deputy Speaker of Parliament Thomas Tayebwa during the burial service of King Oyo at St John’s Cathedral in Fort Portal. The President’s remarks appeared to acknowledge that there was still disagreement over who should take over the Tooro throne.
“When the issue of the new king of Batooro is resolved, we shall be happy to work with the new king as we did with His Highness Oyo,” Museveni said in a message delivered at the ceremony.
The President appealed to the people of Tooro to handle the succession matter peacefully and through the proper legal and traditional processes. He stressed the importance of maintaining unity as the kingdom deals with the difficult question of who should succeed Oyo.
The succession dispute emerged after the Babiito royal clan announced Prince Edward Rukidi Kijanangoma as the new King of Tooro following Oyo’s death. The declaration was made by Prince Charles Akiiki Kamurasi, the Musuuga and head of the Babiito Clan.
Kamurasi said the selection of the new king had been carried out in accordance with Ugandan law, the customs of Tooro and the traditions of the Babiito royal family. The announcement was, however, rejected by members of Oyo’s immediate family.
Princess Ruth Komuntale, one of Oyo’s sisters, has maintained that the late king left a will which identified his biological son as the person who should succeed him. The family has therefore questioned the decision to announce another person before the issues surrounding the will were settled.
Princess Elizabeth Bagaya and Margaret Komubaizi have also supported the position of Oyo’s family. They have argued that consultations within the royal family had not been fully completed before the announcement of the new king.
The disagreement has therefore created uncertainty over the next step for the Tooro Kingdom. While some members of the royal establishment have recognised Prince Edward Rukidi Kijanangoma, Oyo’s family has continued to insist that the wishes of the late king should be respected.
Museveni’s statement suggests that the central government does not want to take sides in the dispute before the matter is properly resolved. Instead, the President has called for a peaceful solution that can bring together the different sides within the kingdom.
The President also spoke highly of the late King Oyo, describing him as a good cultural leader who maintained a positive relationship with the central government. According to Museveni, Oyo concentrated on his cultural responsibilities and avoided unnecessary conflict with the government.
Museveni said Oyo remained focused on promoting the culture of the Batooro and mobilising his people towards development. His message portrayed the late king as a cultural leader who understood the role of traditional institutions in modern Uganda.
The President further explained that traditional and cultural leaders were restored in Uganda in 1993 primarily to promote culture, language and customs. He said their role was different from that of elected political leaders and government administrators.
Museveni noted that cultural institutions should therefore concentrate on preserving the identity, traditions and languages of their communities. He also pointed out that these institutions can play a role in encouraging development and helping their people create wealth.
According to the President, traditional leaders can contribute to economic development by mobilising communities and encouraging people to participate in productive activities. He said cultural institutions have an important place in preserving Uganda’s heritage while also supporting development.
The Tooro succession dispute has attracted considerable attention because of the importance of the kingdom and the historical role of the Babiito royal family. The question of who succeeds Oyo has now become a matter requiring careful consideration by the relevant cultural and legal authorities.
Museveni’s appeal for peace comes at a time when different positions have emerged within the royal family and the wider Tooro establishment. The President’s message indicates that the government expects the matter to be handled without division, confrontation or actions that could create lasting disagreements.
The issue also comes after Oyo’s death brought together members of the royal family, cultural leaders, government officials and thousands of mourners to honour the late king. His burial became an important moment for Tooro, even as questions about his succession remained unresolved.
For many people in Tooro, the next king is expected not only to occupy the throne but also to provide cultural leadership and unite the kingdom. The continuing disagreement has therefore made the succession process particularly sensitive.
Museveni’s message now places emphasis on finding a solution that is accepted through the appropriate processes. He has made it clear that once the question of the new king is settled, the government will be prepared to work with whoever is lawfully and traditionally recognised as Oyo’s successor.
The President’s position leaves the succession question open while encouraging the people of Tooro to seek unity. As consultations and possible legal processes continue, attention remains focused on how the kingdom will resolve the disagreement and eventually establish a clear path for the future leadership of Tooro.If you want, I can also make it more dramatic and newspaper-style while keeping the same 20-paragraph structure.
