By Swift Reporter
Veteran journalist Andrew Mwenda has sharply responded to Queen Mother Best Kemigisa’s statement on the unfolding succession dispute in Tooro Kingdom, rejecting her description of the Babiito succession process as the work of a “self-appointed group of clan members.”
Mwenda said Kemigisa’s characterization was a serious affront to Tooro’s cultural institutions and moved to give his own account of how the process to identify King Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV’s successor unfolded.
“I have been compelled by the statement of the Queen Mother (QM), Best Kemigisa, to clarify on succession in Toro,” Mwenda said.
“The QM says that I announced a decision of a ‘self appointed group of clan members’. This is a gross insult to our kingdom and its cultural institutions.”
Mwenda said that following Oyo’s death on August 26, 2026, a general meeting of the Babiito clan was held at Karuziika Palace in Fort Portal on August 28, bringing together more than 100 princes and princesses.
According to him, the meeting selected a 21-member Royal Succession Committee, headed by the Musuuga, the Prince Regent or caretaker, to undertake the search for a new king.
“The committee began its work on August 31st, 2026. Its aim was to find a new king,” Mwenda said.
He said that, at the time of Oyo’s death, there had been no official or informal communication to the Babiito that the late king had fathered a son.
“Please note, that up to the time of Oyo’s death, there had never been any official or even informal communication to the babiito that King Oyo had sired a child, leave alone a son,” he said.
Mwenda said four candidates were subsequently presented to the succession committee.
They were George Desmond Kamurasi, son of Prince Jimmy Mugenyi; a purported son of Oyo initially identified as Jacob Oyo and later as Jackson Oyo; George David Kamurasi, son of Prince Kato Rukidi; and Edward Rukiidi Kijanangoma, son of Prince Kijanangoma.
Mwenda said questions arose over the identity and background of the purported son of the late king.
“Oyo’s purported son was presented to the committee by Patrick Kawamara, brother of the QM,” he said, adding that Kawamara had been placed on the committee to represent the interests of the Queen Mother.
According to Mwenda, the committee asked Kawamara to provide a photograph of the purported son, but he was unable to do so.
“The committee asked for the clan of the mother and Kawamara said she is a muhinda. The committee asked for her family in Toro and he declined to disclose it,” Mwenda said.
He added that members of Oyo’s paternal family had not previously known about the alleged son.
“Non of the relatives on Oyo’s paternal side (ababiito) had ever heard of the existence of this purported son,” he said.
Mwenda said the committee became concerned after receiving two different names for the purported heir and not being provided with a photograph, noting that other candidates had been represented with photographs.
“The committee found this dubious and decided to remove Oyo’s purported son from the list of considerations,” he said.
After four days of deliberations, Mwenda said the committee conducted a secret ballot in which George Desmond Kamurasi received 15 votes, while the other candidates received one vote each.
“I personally informed Kamurasi of this selection,” Mwenda said.
He also disputed claims that Kamurasi had rejected the throne.
“He did not decline the throne as alleged on social media. He asked for time to consult his wife and business partners in London,” Mwenda said.
Mwenda said the kingdom was “time barred” and subsequently proceeded with another suitable candidate, who was announced on September 9.
The succession dispute intensified after the Queen Mother said in her statement that Oyo’s will had clearly set out the order of succession and accused clan members of disregarding it.
However, Mwenda said a meeting had been held at the palace on September 8 involving the Queen Mother, Babiito representatives and members of the royal family.
“In that meeting, the QM said she was not going to disclose anything about Oyo’s purported son until the reading of his will,” he said.
Mwenda said the will was subsequently read before the same group, this time with Princess Ruth Komuntale, Oyo’s sister and Batebe of the kingdom, and Princess Margaret Komubaizi, also known as Mukajoyi, in attendance.
“In the will, written on September 14, 2022, there is only a hypothetical heir,” Mwenda said.
He then raised what he described as an important question concerning Tooro’s customary succession rules.
“But most importantly, in Toro, it is not automatic that a king’s son becomes heir to the throne,” Mwenda said.
He argued that the circumstances of the alleged heir’s birth and the status of his mother would have to be established under Tooro custom.
“He would have to have been born to a Mutoro queen officially married to the king (omugowekitebe),” Mwenda said.
Mwenda was careful to add that his argument was not an allegation that Oyo had fathered a child under the circumstances he described.
“This is not to suggest that Oyo did any of this,” he said.
“It is simply to say that he was not officially married, and if he left a son, Toro needs to know the mother and her background.”
The controversy comes as Tooro prepares to bury King Oyo, who died at the age of 34 after more than three decades on the throne. The Babiito succession committee subsequently announced Prince Edward Rukidi Kijanangoma as the new king, a decision that has been challenged by members of Oyo’s immediate family.
The succession question is now at the centre of an increasingly public dispute involving the royal family, Babiito clan and supporters of different interpretations of Oyo’s reported wishes and Tooro customs. Just stay tuned for more updates!
Meanwhile, below are Queen Mother & Mwenda statements;
Queen Mother First!
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