Tooro Kingdom Launches Cultural Process To Find New King | See How Oyo’s Successor Will Be Chosen

By Frank Kamuntu

Fort Portal City — Tooro Kingdom has constituted a 21-member Babiito clan committee to identify the successor to the late King Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV and oversee the cultural and traditional process leading to the installation of the next Omusinga.

The committee, headed by Musuuga Charles Kamurasi, was appointed following a meeting held at Karuziika Palace on August 28, 2026, bringing together Babiito clan representatives and members of the Rukurato, the kingdom’s parliament. In a statement issued on August 29, the Office of the Musuuga said the committee would identify the rightful successor, communicate the decision to key stakeholders and coordinate preparations for the cultural ceremonies associated with the accession.

The kingdom emphasised that succession to the Tooro throne remains a cultural process conducted under the authority of the Musuuga, who heads the Babiito clan. The Musuuga will also oversee funeral rites and cultural ceremonies following King Oyo’s death, including burial preparations and the succession process.

Members of the 21-member succession committee are Isaac Mayombo, Charles Oyo, Kagoro Kaijamurubi, Job Karamagi, Gilbert Mujogya, Mbogo Rukidi, Isaac Rwabboni, Paul Mugamba, David Mugamba, Harriet Nyakake, Patrick Muganzi, Patrick Kawamara, Sam Rukidi, Kato Rwakatale, Hassan Oliimi, Rose Mpuro, Martha Mugamba, Martha Rwabboni and Ruth Ogeni, alongside the Musuuga as chairperson.

The kingdom has also announced arrangements for the late king’s body, saying it will be transported from the airport to Karuziika Palace in Fort Portal City, where it will remain throughout the mourning period.

According to Tooro custom, Karuziika is recognised as the king’s only official palace, while other royal buildings are considered residences. The kingdom therefore said the body would remain at Karuziika throughout the mourning period rather than being moved between different locations.

The official nine-day mourning period will begin on the day the body arrives at Karuziika Palace, with the kingdom saying all mourning activities will be scheduled based on that date.

A separate palace communication committee has also been established to coordinate official information about the funeral and succession arrangements. The team will include Charles Oyo and Moses Musinguzi, together with a representative of Isaac Rwabboni.

The communication team will work alongside Tooro Kingdom Prime Minister Steven Kiyingi Amooti and other stakeholders to ensure that information concerning the funeral and succession process is communicated through official channels.

Tourism Minister Tom Butime has been designated as the contact person between Tooro Kingdom and the central government during the arrangements.

The kingdom has called upon the people of Tooro, religious leaders, government officials and well-wishers to respect the cultural authorities responsible for overseeing the funeral and succession process.

Tooro Kingdom said further details concerning the cultural programme, including the Kutaabaza burial ritual and activities during the nine-day mourning period, will be communicated through its official channels.

The formation of the committee marks the beginning of the formal cultural process to determine the next custodian of the Tooro throne following the death of King Oyo, whose reign was one of the longest among Uganda’s traditional monarchies.