By Bamwita Sadique
TOORO
A succession battle has cropped up in the Tooro Kingdom after two princesses who are immediate family members of the Late King Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi 1V rejected the declaration of Edward Kijanangoma Rukiidi as the new King of Tooro Kingdom.
The two princesses who include; Ruth Komuntale and Elizabeth Bagaya , argue that the late king Oyo Nyimba Nyimba left a written Will which provides a clear line of succession opposed to what was done.
The princesses’ reactions emerged on Wednesday September 9, 2026, shortly after the Babiito clan declared Prince Edward Kijanangoma as the successor to King Oyo, who died of brain cancer in the United States on August 27 aged 34.
Princess Ruth Komuntale, Oyo’s sister, disagrees with the decision on grounds that the royal family was in the process of preparing to examine the late king’s Will with lawyers before a successor is announced.
Similarly, Princess Elizabeth Bagaya, another senior member of the royal family, has also rejected the declaration fueling the succession dispute surrounding the throne ahead of Oyo’s burial on Saturday September 12, 2026.
In fact, the succession dispute is likely to cause divisions among members of the royal family because the late King Oyo left written instructions outlining his succession.
The Late King Oyo’s Will which was executed on September 14, 2022, at Karuziika Palace in Fort Portal titled “Appointment of My Heir and Successor to the Crown” states:
In Article 10.1, Oyo stated that if, at the time of his death, he was survived by a son lawfully recognised as his biological son, he appointed that son as his heir to the throne of Tooro, in accordance with the Institution of Traditional or Cultural Leaders Act, 2011 and Tooro customs and traditions.
Article 10.2 provides a succession plan in the event that 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 Omukama. In that circumstance, Oyo named his cousin Prince Komwiswa Yoweri, son of Musuga Charles Kamurasi Akiiki, as the next heir and successor.
If Komwiswa Yoweri was also unable to assume the throne, Oyo directed that succession should pass to Prince Nyaika Solomon, also a son of Musuga Charles Kamurasi Akiiki.
The will provides a clear hierarchy before any other royal candidate is considered.
Article 10.3 further states that Oyo desired the succession arrangements to be recognised and implemented peacefully and with dignity, in accordance with the Institution of Traditional or Cultural Leaders Act, 2011 and the customs and traditions of Tooro.
He also directed in Article 10.4 that the installation of his successor should be conducted according to Tooro customs and traditions and the 2011 law.
In his final message to his successor, Oyo wrote that he should remember that leadership is stewardship and that the Crown exists in service to the people.
Princess Komuntale Insists Her Brother Left a Clear Will
Princess Komuntale insists her brother left a clear Will and challenges the Babiito’s announcement.
She revealed that the royal family had held a meeting earlier on Wednesday involving senior members of the royal establishment and Gen Henry Tumukunde, with discussions centred on the late king’s Will.
To her, it was agreed that lawyers would examine the document before any successor was proclaimed. She, however says the announcement of Kijanangoma caught them by surprise.
She argued that the late king had clearly provided for his successor and had even laid out a second and third option in the event that his first choice could not ascend.
Komuntale has urged the Batooro to remain calm, saying the disagreement should not be allowed to divide the kingdom while Oyo’s body is yet to be laid to rest.
Babiito Clan Members Name Edward Kijanangoma New Tooro King
The Babiito clan members who sat last evening on September 9, 2026, at Karuziika Palance, named UBC TV News Anchor, Edward Kijanangoma Rukiidi as the new King of Tooro Kingdom. Prince Edward is a son of the late Prince Christopher Paul Kijanangoma and grandson of Omukama Sir George David Rukidi Kamurasi III.
Omukama Oyo died on August 27, 2026, at the age of 34 while receiving cancer treatment in the United States.
King Oyo ascended the Tooro throne in 1995 at the age of three, becoming the world’s youngest reigning monarch at the time. He went on to rule the kingdom for more than three decades, emerging as one of Uganda’s most prominent cultural leaders.
During his reign, Oyo also served as a United Nations ambassador for HIV and AIDS advocacy and took part in several initiatives promoting health and the welfare of young people.
His death triggered the succession process within the Tooro Kingdom, with the royal succession committee selecting Edward Kijanangoma, 36, as his successor.
