A Last Will and Testament dated 14 September 2022 for His Majesty Rukirabasaija Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukiidi IV, Omukama of Tooro, sets out his wishes for succession to the throne of the Tooro Kingdom.
The will was presented by King Oyo’s long-time personal lawyer, Mr Akampurira Michael, to the representatives of the royal family and government, including Musuga, Princess Komuntale, Princess Magret Komubaizi (Muka Joy), Father Oyo, Monsenior Father Mayombo, Queen Mother Best Kemigisa, and Maj Gen Henry Tumukunde, Minister of Gender, Labor and Social Development, representing the president.
Under the succession provisions of the Will, a son of King Oyo is designated as the first heir and successor to the Throne as Omukama of Tooro.
The Will further provides that if his son died before assuming the Throne, was permanently incapacitated, or was otherwise unable to succeed or assume the responsibilities of the Crown, succession would pass to the King’s cousin, Prince Komwiswa Yoweri, son of the King’s paternal uncle, Omusuga Charles Kamurasi, Chief Prince and Head of the Royal Babiito Clan.
The provision represents a significant clarification of the future line of succession. In the absence of a son of King Oyo capable of succeeding, the line would effectively move from the King’s direct line to the family of Musuga Charles Kamurasi Akiiki.
The Will further establishes an order of succession should Prince Komwiswa Yoweri himself be unable to succeed or assume the throne.
In that circumstance, the succession would pass next to Prince Nyaika Solomon, also the son of Omusuga Charles Kamurasi, and to Musuga Charles Kamurasi.
The succession provisions in the Will therefore establish the following order:
A son of King Oyo → Prince Komwiswa Yoweri → Prince Nyaika Solomon → Musuga Charles Kamurasi.
The Will states that succession should be implemented peacefully and with dignity, with the customs and traditions of the Tooro Kingdom applying insofar as they are consistent with the succession expressly directed in the Will.
The document is dated 14 September 2022, making its succession provisions particularly significant as a written record of King Oyo’s intentions regarding the future continuity of the Tooro Crown.
Meanwhile, the Babiito clan succession committee announced former journalist with the Uganda Broadcasting Corporation (UBC) Prince Edward Rukidi Kaijanangoma as the new King in contradiction to Oyo’s will.
The announcement made on Wednesday evening prompted immediate rejection by Princesses Elizabeth Bagaya and Ruth Komuntale who said that the decision of the committee didn’t represent the will of the deceased monarch.
“What was mentioned today was not accurate,” Komuntale said in a televised interview.
Whether the former King’s Will will be followed or the decision of the selection committee will be upheld remains to be seen.