The succession dispute in the Tooro Kingdom has intensified after the Babito clan defended the selection of Prince Edward Rukidi Kijanangoma as the new Omukama, while Princess Ruth Komuntale rejected the decision and insisted that her late brother, King Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV, left a will naming his son as heir.
The Babito clan says Kijanangoma’s selection should stand, despite objections from sections of the royal family. Babito spokesperson Moses Musinguzi said those opposed to the decision should seek legal intervention if they believe the process was improper.
“Those who are opposing the new Omukama of Tooro, let them go to court. For us, we shall continue with our functions,” Musinguzi said.
Kijanangoma, a former Uganda Broadcasting Corporation journalist, was recently selected by the Babito clan to succeed the late King Oyo, who died in late August 2026 at the age of 34.
However, Princess Ruth Komuntale, the late king’s sister, has challenged the selection, saying it does not reflect her brother’s wishes.
Komuntale said King Oyo left a will that clearly identified his son as the person who should succeed him to the throne. She also said the document contained provisions for alternative arrangements in case the primary heir could not take over.
According to Komuntale, members of the royal family had earlier met with Gen. Henry Tumukunde to discuss the will and had agreed that lawyers would be brought in to examine it before any successor was formally proclaimed.
She said the decision to proceed with Kijanangoma’s selection came as a surprise because another meeting had been expected to take place before the succession process moved forward.
“My brother left behind a will which stated very clearly that the next person in line is his son,” Komuntale said.
She also appealed for calm, arguing that the royal family should first be allowed to mourn and bury the late king before resolving the succession question.
“It is unfortunate that we have not even buried my brother yet and they are bringing all this confusion and turmoil. We cannot even mourn him in peace,” she said.
Komuntale urged the people of Tooro to remain united and avoid actions that could create further divisions within the kingdom.
The disagreement has now placed the contents and interpretation of King Oyo’s alleged will at the centre of the succession dispute, with different positions emerging from members of the royal family and the Babito clan.
While the Babito leadership maintains that Kijanangoma’s selection will proceed, Komuntale insists that the late king’s wishes must first be examined before a final successor is confirmed.
