Museveni Urges Peaceful, Lawful Resolution of Tooro Succession Question

FORT PORTAL, Uganda — President Yoweri Museveni has called on the people of Tooro to resolve the Kingdom’s succession question through peaceful and lawful means, urging the royal family and the wider Kingdom to preserve unity and avoid division.

The President made the appeal in a message delivered on his behalf by Deputy Speaker of Parliament Thomas Tayebwa during the funeral of the late Tooro King, Omukama Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukiidi IV, in Fort Portal on Saturday.

Museveni described King Oyo as a good leader and champion of culture who maintained a constructive relationship with the Central Government throughout his reign.

He said the late Omukama played an important role in preserving Tooro’s cultural heritage while mobilising his people to pursue development.

The President urged the people of Tooro to handle the succession question peacefully and within the law, stressing that the overriding priority should be maintaining unity in the Kingdom.

Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa. PHOTO BY UGANDA MEDIA CENTRE

The appeal comes amid disagreements within the Tooro royal establishment following the death of King Oyo.

The Babiito Clan Succession Committee recently announced that Prince Edward Rukiidi Kijanangoma had been elected as the successor to King Oyo. However, Princess Ruth Nsemere Komuntale, the late King’s sister, subsequently rejected the announcement as inaccurate, while Princess Elizabeth Bagaya backed her position.

Museveni also used his message to clarify the role of Uganda’s traditional cultural institutions, saying they have an important historical responsibility to preserve the country’s indigenous languages, customs and cultural heritage.

He noted that the cultural institutions restored in 1993 are not political, administrative or legislative institutions.

“Cultural leaders are not political, administrative or legislative institutions,” the President said, stressing that their responsibility is to safeguard Uganda’s identity and heritage for future generations.

He called on cultural leaders and their subjects to remain focused on this mandate and avoid divisions that could undermine the role of traditional institutions.

Museveni calls for stronger fight against cancer

The President also used the occasion to call for renewed efforts to combat cancer and other preventable diseases, following King Oyo’s death after a prolonged battle with cancer.

He urged Ugandans to take both personal and collective responsibility for protecting their health.

King Oyo’s sister, Princess Ruth Komuntale, had earlier revealed during the funeral proceedings that the late monarch’s cancer battle began in 2025, with his treatment taking him to several countries.

Museveni’s message therefore combined a tribute to the late King with a broader appeal for unity in Tooro and greater attention to public health.

Omujwera Musuuga Charles Kamurasi leads the cortege out of Karuzika Palace before the funeral service on Saturday. PHOTO BY UGANDA MEDIA CENTRE

King Oyo was buried at the Karambi Royal Tombs in Fort Portal following a national send-off ceremony at St. John’s Cathedral.

His death has triggered a new chapter for the Tooro Kingdom, with the question of his successor now emerging as one of the most consequential issues facing the Kingdom’s royal establishment.