An impassioned appeal for peace, restraint and unity has been issued to the people of Tooro Kingdom as the kingdom faces a deepening rift over succession, even before the burial of His Majesty Ikingura Rukirabasaija Omukama Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV.
The appeal comes amid sharply differing positions that have emerged following King Oyo’s death on August 27th, 2026, in the United States at the age of 34. The monarch, who became the world’s youngest reigning king when he was enthroned at age three in 1995, is set to be buried on September 12th at Karambi Royal Tombs in Fort Portal.
On one side of the dispute, a faction linked to the royal Ababiito clan and the succession committee has announced a new King, with media reports last week indicating the selection of George Desmond Kamurasi. On the other side, another faction points to a Will left by the late Omukama Patrick David Matthew Olimi Kaboyo II, expressing his wishes regarding succession and has fronted former UBC anchor Prince Edward Kijanangoma Rukidi.
Omuhikirwa Calvin Armstrong Rwomiire, the Prime Minister of Tooro Kingdom, has warned that while these are serious matters that must ultimately be addressed, the timing and manner in which the contest is unfolding dishonours the late King.
“These are serious matters that must ultimately be addressed. But as Batooro, we must ask whether this is the right moment, and whether the manner in which this is unfolding honours the King whose body we have not yet laid to rest,” Omuhikirwa Rwomiire said.
He added that whatever the interpretations of Tooro’s customs, laws and institutions, there must remain a minimum standard of moral decency.
“The Crown of Tooro has existed for generations and will endure long after all of us. Nothing is so urgent that we must sacrifice the dignity of His Majesty’s final journey, the grief of the Royal Family, the unity of our people or the peace of our Kingdom to settle it now,” Rwomiire said.
The appeal calls for a calm, credible process to examine the Will, hear all sides, and consider customs and applicable law, rather than competing announcements and attempts to create facts on the ground during mourning.
Omuhikirwa Rwomiire appealed to all those involved to lower the temperature and called on the Government of Uganda to guide to ensure peace and order, not to choose a King for Tooro, but to protect conditions for a fair process, suggesting that respected elders and cultural leaders should help guide an orderly way forward.
