Uganda's Tooro Kingdom Faces Succession Dispute

The Tooro kingdom in Uganda is facing a succession dispute following the death of King Oyo Nyimba, who passed away on August 27 in the United States at the age of 34 while receiving cancer treatment. A royal-clan succession committee announced on Wednesday, September 9, that Prince Edward Rukidi Kijanangoma, a news anchor and editor for the state broadcaster UBC and a cousin of the late king, would ascend to the throne. However, this selection was immediately challenged by the late king's mother, Queen Mother Best Kemigisa, and his sister, Princess Ruth Komuntale. They stated that King Oyo's will clearly designates his son as the heir. According to the will, "if, at the date of my death, I am survived by a son lawfully recognised as my biological son, I appoint him as my heir to the Throne of the kingdom of Tooro." Queen Mother Kemigisa asserted that the will was read on the day of Oyo's death in the presence of royal family and government representatives, and that the committee's decision ignored its contents. Queen Mother Kemigisa also claimed that security forces had restricted the movement of royal family members and prevented visitors around the palace.