The Queen Mother of Tooro Kingdom, HRH Omujwera Nyina Omukama Best Kemigisa, has called for calm and respect as the dispute regarding the succession to throne grows more intense after the death of her son, Ikingura Omukama Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV.

In a statement dated September 10th, 2026, HRH Kemigisa said Ikingura Oyo died of cancer on August 27th, and appealed to those involved in the succession dispute to allow the royal family to mourn and bury him with dignity.

HRH Kemigisa said the family had been preparing for Ikingura Oyo’s burial when clan leaders announced a new king. She maintained that Ikingura had a son who, according to the family, was identified as his rightful successor in his will.

The Queen Mother also accuses Gen Kayanya Muhanga of going to the palace and withdrawing royal guards, then deployed troops around the palace three days before Ikingura Oyo’s burial.

She appealed to President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, the UPDF, the police and the President’s Office to allow the family to mourn freely and bury Ikingura Oyo peacefully.

However, some netizens argued that, the deployment of security forces around the palace could be to protect the royal family and avoid attacks to ensure peace prevails.

The statement follows Tooro’s Ababiito royal clan’s announcement of Prince Edward Rukidi Kijanangoma as Ikingura Oyo’s successor.

HRH Kemigisa urged those contesting for the throne to put the succession issue aside until after the burial.

“Let us grieve and bury my son King Oyo,” she said, describing him as a good son and king who loved and served the people of Tooro.

Ikingura Oyo, who became king at the age of three in 1995, died after serving as Tooro’s monarch for 31 years.