By Sadique Bamwita
FORT PORTAL
The succession dispute for who should succeed the late Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi 1V has escalated after Tooro Kingdom Princes Patrick Mpuuga and Prince Nyaika Solomon, joined princess Ruth Komuntale and Princess Elizabeth Bagaya to reject and distance themselves from their father, Omusuuga Charles Kamurasi’s recent announcement of Prince Edward Kijanangoma Rukiidi as successor to their late cousin who passed away on August 27, 2026, at the age of 34.
Addressing the press on September 10,2026, at Karuzika Palace, Prince Patrick Mpuuga revealed that King Oyo’s Will superseded any Will that existed in the past, noting that people invoking their late grandfathers Will, were doing so wrongly.
Prince Mpuuga also revealed that the late King Oyo, had requested him to take up the position of Omusuuga in future, to ensure continuity in the Kingdom’s culture and knowledge.
“Unfortunately it has not seen the light of day, but I also stand here as a Mubiito to say and to agree with the Will of the King that it must prevail, and call upon all enforcement agencies out there especially government and all those that are concerned that they need to take on this,” Prince Mpuuga appealed.
He added, “It is not that we want war, it is not that we want chaos, no, we don’t want any of that. We are also people of peace and we are not doing this to plant seeds of discord, because there are people who are also driving a narrative that a certain tribe within the land should be taken out,” he said.
Prince Nyaika revealed that the Kingdom’s succession line has been very clear from the Kingdom’s last four kings, who have ascended to the throne through Wills left by the late monarchs, noting that the Omusuuga has been hijacked by King Oyo’s enemies who didn’t want to see him ascend to the throne 31 years ago.
“Now Oyo has a son, in his Will he states his son must succeed him, so it is not right, these so-called Babiito who are saying that we vote, a king is not voted for heaven’s sake, elsewhere all over the world,” he said.
He added, “There is nowhere, where Babiito have sat in the committee, these are enemies to king Oyo, they were here 31 years ago, they are now back. If you can go through the list of the 31 members, these are exactly the same people who disturbed him 31 years ago when he was going to be enthroned, they are now back. We don’t know how Omusuuga came into the mixture, he was hijacked by certain people”.
Prince Nyaika further revealed that Omusuuga is currently surrounded by the said group of people, who had not stepped foot at the palace hill for 30 years.
“I don’t know who they are, we are now seeing them in meetings, they have never been part of the royal family. These are not royal family members, the sons and daughters of Sir George Rukidi are well known,” he said.
In his will late Omukama Oyo stated:
“If my son dies before he can assume the throne, is permanently incapacitated, or is otherwise unable to succeed or assume the duties and responsibilities of the Throne, then My Cousin Prince Komwiswa Yoweri, son of Musuga Charles Kamurasi Akiiki, shall be my heir and successor to the Throne as Omukama of Tooro. If Komwiswa Yoweri is unable to succeed or assume the throne, then succession shall pass next to my cousin Prince Nyaika Solomon, son of Musuga Charles Kamurasi Akiiki my paternal uncle” part of the will reads.
