By Swift Reporter
Queen Mother Best Kemigisa has revealed that concerns over the safety of the late Omukama of Tooro, King Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukiidi IV’s child, amid a tense succession dispute forced the family to leave the child in Texas, United States.
In an emotional message thanking the people of Tooro and Uganda for their support following King Oyo’s death, Kemigisa said the family had initially planned for the child to return to Uganda on the same flight with them for the late king’s final ceremonies.
“Before leaving Texas, our family had hoped that King Oyo’s child would return on the same plane with us,” she said. “However, as events unfolded in Tooro, concerns grew about bringing a child into a tense and polarised succession dispute. Ultimately, the child did not return with us.”
Kemigisa said the decision left her deeply saddened, arguing that a child should not be exposed to hostility arising from disagreements over the royal succession.
“Whatever disagreements existed, no child should ever be placed in circumstances where returning to his father’s homeland could mean being drawn into hostility and conflict,” she said.
The Queen Mother also criticised the timing of succession discussions, saying efforts to identify a successor began only hours after King Oyo’s death, before his body had arrived in Uganda.
She recalled that while the late king’s body was at Karuziika Palace, announcements about rival claimants to the throne were made and celebrations were heard nearby, describing the experience as particularly painful while the family was still mourning.
Kemigisa further said an agreement had been reached between her representatives, government leaders, the Musuga and representatives of the Babiito Clan to suspend succession discussions until after the burial. She said the understanding, which was formalised through a Memorandum of Understanding, was not honoured at Karambi.
Despite the dispute, Kemigisa said King Oyo’s family and lineage remain connected to the future of Tooro.
“His mother is still here. His sister is still here. His child is still here. His people are still here. And God is still with us,” she said.
Together with her daughter, Princess Ruth Nsemere Komuntale Farquharson, Kemigisa also reaffirmed plans to preserve King Oyo’s legacy through the newly established King Oyo Memorial Foundation.
She said the foundation is expected to support several initiatives associated with the late king’s vision, including a museum, international stadium, model farm, and research and teaching hospital.
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