Uganda’s government is working to resolve a bitter succession dispute in the Tooro Kingdom ahead of the burial of King Oyo Nyimba. The king’s funeral cannot proceed until a new monarch is agreed upon.
According to Reuters, Oyo, who died at the age of 34, is due to be buried on Saturday. The official ceremony is expected to draw thousands of mourners and dignitaries.
The dispute erupted after a royal succession committee selected Oyo’s cousin, Edward Rukidi Kijanangoma, as the next king.
However, the late monarch’s mother, Queen Kemigisa, and his sister, Princess Ruth Komuntale, rejected the decision. They insist that Oyo’s previously unknown son should inherit the throne.
Government joins succession talks
Tooro Kingdom spokesperson Vincent Mugume said discussions involving the royal family, clan members and government officials were ongoing.
“There are meetings going on between the royal family and the royal clan, so all sides involved are talking,” Mugume said.
“The government is also involved in the talks.”
He explained that Tooro tradition requires a successor to be in place before the burial. This is because certain funeral rituals can only be performed by the new monarch.
Mugume declined to say what would happen if no agreement was reached before Saturday.
Mystery heir becomes centre of dispute
Princess Komuntale said her brother’s will identified his son as successor. Meanwhile, Queen Kemigisa accused what she described as a “self-appointed group of clan members” of ignoring the monarch’s wishes.
The claim has generated controversy because Oyo never married publicly and was not previously known to have children.
Ugandan journalist Andrew Mwenda, who is also related to the royal family, said Oyo’s relatives had not produced a photograph of the alleged son. They also had not disclosed details about his mother’s family.
Mwenda also argued that Tooro custom allows a king’s son to inherit only if he was born to a queen. However, the queen must have been formally married to the monarch.
Committee backs Oyo’s cousin
The succession committee instead chose Kijanangoma, a news anchor and editor with state broadcaster UBC.
A colleague, Denis Sigoa, described him as modest and approachable.
“He was very humble, down to earth,” Sigoa said.
The dispute carries significant consequences beyond the title itself. This is because the next monarch will also inherit royal property, including land and financial benefits attached to the kingdom.
Mourners gather in Fort Portal
Thousands of mourners have been arriving in Fort Portal, the capital of the Tooro Kingdom, ahead of Oyo’s burial.
Many have appeared in traditional white clothing and bark cloth as they pay their respects to the late monarch.
Oyo was crowned king in 1995 at just three years old. He later became a United Nations goodwill ambassador, where he supported campaigns against HIV and AIDS.
The succession talks are now under increasing pressure, with the kingdom needing a new monarch in place. This must happen before burial rites can be completed.
