As Tooro Kingdom grapples with the death of Omukama Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV on August 27, 2026, and a bitter succession fight, Minister of Gender, Labour and Social Development Gen. Henry Tumukunde has made clear that the government will rely on the Institution of Traditional or Cultural Leaders Act, 2011 — specifically its dispute-resolution provisions under Section 15 — to guide the process.

The Act, which gives effect to Article 246 of the Constitution, recognises traditional leaders installed by birth or descent according to community customs.

Section 15 is unambiguous: any conflict over whether a community should have a cultural leader, who that leader should be, or whether the correct installation procedure was followed must first be handled by a council of elders, clan leaders or a representative body chosen by the community, in line with its own customs.

Only if those internal mechanisms fail does the matter proceed to court.

Tumukunde first signalled this approach on September 2 at a press briefing at the late king’s Buziga residence. He told journalists the government would not rush to name a successor before receiving guidance from President Museveni and the Babiito clan, stressing that “we shall be following Section 15 of the Institution of Traditional or Cultural Leaders Act 2011.”

He warned against social-media speculation and said any outcome would be communicated only after proper consultations.

President Museveni later dispatched him to Fort Portal to defuse tensions ahead of the burial, scheduled for Saturday, September 12, at the Karambi Royal Tombs.

Tumukunde met the royal family and Babiito leaders and insisted the disputes must be settled before the funeral so the send-off would not be overshadowed.

But crisis deepened after the announcement late on September 9 by the 21-member Royal Succession Committee, chaired by Omusuuga Charles Kamurasi. At Karuziika Palace, Monsignor Isaiah Mayombo read a resolution signed by 19 members naming Prince Edward Rukidi Kijanangoma — a former UBC journalist and grandson of the late Omukama George David Rukidi III — as the selected successor, saying the choice followed due diligence and Tooro customs.

The royal family pushed back sharply.

Princess Ruth Komuntale, Oyo’s sister, said the announcement had caught them by surprise.

She explained that the family had earlier met Tumukunde, Kamurasi and other Babiito leaders to review the late king’s will, dated September 14, 2022, and had agreed to consult lawyers before any proclamation.

The will, presented by Oyo’s long-time lawyer Michael Akampurira, names the king’s son as first heir, with Prince Yoweri Komwiswa, Prince Solomon Nyaika and finally Omusuuga Charles Kamurasi as successive fallbacks.

Tumukunde was present at that presentation.

Komuntale was joined by Princess Elizabeth Bagaaya; the family maintains the process was incomplete and that the committee’s choice does not reflect the king’s written instructions.

This is precisely the kind of clash Section 15 was designed to address — a dispute over who the leader should be and whether the proper procedure was followed.

The elders and clan have already acted; if agreement cannot be reached, the next step is the High Court.

Tumukunde’s consistent message is that the legal ladder exists, the 2011 Act is clear, and the kingdom must climb it without tearing itself apart before the burial.