FORT PORTAL, Uganda – As the controversy over the kingdom’s succession intensifies, Tooro Queen Mother Best Kemigisa has accused the armed forces of placing the royal family under house arrest at the palace.
Kemigisa announced in a statement on Thursday, September 10, 2026, that troops had encircled the palace and limited the family’s freedom of movement and guest access.
“We are unable to accept or let people leave freely,” Kemigisa declared. “We are under house arrest.”
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She pleaded with President Yoweri Museveni, Maj. Gen. Kayanja Muhanga, and the UPDF leadership to let the family grieve and bury King Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV in peace.
King Oyo’s Will is read before the public at the palace
Kemigisha also claimed that three days before her son’s burial, Gen. Kayanja Muhanga came to the Palace and removed the royal guards without notice.
“Troops were deployed around the Palace. They took the Musuuga away to a location we were not told,” she added.
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The Queen Mother further disclosed that at 4pm, Oyo’s Will was read before representatives of the Royal Family and Government, including the Musuuga, Princess Komuntale, Princess Margaret Komubaizi (Muka Joy), Father Oyo, Monsignor Father Mayombo, Maj Gen. Henry Tumukunde (the Minister of Gender, Labour and Social Development representing the president).
“The Will clearly set out the order of succession to the Tooro throne. We agreed to meet the following day, again under Gen. Tumukunde’s chairmanship. But that same evening, while my son’s body was still lying next to us, these select clan members held a press conference and declared their own King in disregard of the Will and the agreement with the minister,” lamented Kemigisha.
Prince Edward Rukidi Kijanangoma elected by the Babiito Clan
According to Kemigisha, the succession committee of the Babiito Clan could have done this anywhere else.
“Instead, they chose to jubilate while my son was still lying in his casket next to them. That is what has hurt us most. My daughter is devastated. Our family is grieving,” said Kemigisha.
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On the evening of Tuesday, September 9, 2026, the succession committee of the Babiito Clan announced that it had elected Prince Edward Rukidi Kijanangoma to be enthroned as the successor to King Oyo.
Prince Kijanangoma is the son of the late Prince Christopher Paul Kijanangoma and grandson of Omukama Sir George David Rukidi Kamurasi 111.
The Tooro Kingdom Royal Family rejects King Oyo’s successor
However, shortly after the announcement, the Tooro Kingdom Royal Family, including Princess Elizabeth Bagaya and Princess Ruth Komuntale, rejected the announcement.
Princess Komuntale said the proclamation of the new king was inaccurate.
“Clearly, the next person in line is his son. That’s the next heir to the throne. And he also left very strict instructions on any other successors who might take over just in case of a plan B,” said Princess Komuntale.
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Princess Elizabeth Bagaya has backed Princess Komuntale’s rejection of Kijanangoma as the new King of Tooro, saying that it is a ‘tragic’ moment for the royal family.
“She has all my authority, all my support. This is a tragic time, but you have my support. You have all my love, everything. So I pray to you, please look at her first and foremost. This girl, first and foremost. Nobody else has the authority of the—her brother. So I thank you all for your love, and I pray for you. Thank you very much,” Princess Bagaya said.
Tooro Queen Mother Best Kemigisa calls for ceasefire
Members of the Succession Committee were elected by the general meeting of the Babiito clan to elect the suitable candidate for the throne of Tooro upon the demise of King Oyo.
Msgr Isiah Mayombo, who read the announcement on behalf of Babiito at the Karuziika Palace, said the group was aware that the authority to elect the King of Toro lies with them and, sitting together with and under the leadership of Omukama Rukidi Musuga, head of the Babiito clan, and having undertaken due diligence, consultation, and adequate consideration, had reached the decision.
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In a statement, the Queen Mother also appealed to those fighting over the throne to stop doing so, saying, “There will be time for all of that.”
“Let us grieve and bury my son, King Oyo. He was a good son. He was a good king. He loved Tooro and served his people for 31 years. Most importantly, he served God. He has gone to be with the Lord. Please allow us to send him home with the dignity and respect he deserves,” appealed Kemigisha.
