Queen Mother of Tooro, Her Majesty Best Kemigisa, has claimed that she and other members of the royal family have been placed under house arrest at Karuzika Royal Palace, days before the burial of her son, the late Omukama Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV.
Kemigisa said security forces had been deployed around the palace and that the royal family could no longer leave or receive visitors freely.
“Now, three days to my son’s burial, Gen. Kayanja Muhanga came to the Palace and removed the royal guards without notice, and troops were deployed around the Palace. They took the Musuuga away to a location we were not told,” she said.
Kemigisa linked the alleged security deployment to the growing dispute over who should succeed King Oyo, who died on August 27, 2026, at the age of 34 after battling cancer.
She said the current dispute reminded her of the succession battle that followed the death of her husband, former Omukama Patrick Matthew Kaboyo Olumi, when Oyo was only three years old.
“I was 26 when my husband died. I was in the UK treating my young daughter Cecilia. Oyo was only two years old,” Kemigisa said.
She said she returned to Tooro to bury her husband but was soon forced to fight for her son’s right to inherit the throne.
According to Kemigisa, members of the Babiito clan at the time argued that Oyo was too young to become king and claimed that his father had not left a will naming him as successor.
“The same Babiito clan members said he was too young at three years old to be king and that his father, Omukama Patrick, had left no will naming him successor, so his uncle should take the throne according to the will of Omukama Rukiidi. We went to court, and my King Oyo prevailed,” she said.
Kemigisa said she later lost her daughter to leukaemia and accused some of the clan leaders now involved in the succession dispute of failing to support the family during that period.
“None of these clan leaders you saw today came to see us or helped us bury her,” she said.
She said Oyo subsequently served the Tooro Kingdom for 31 years and built relationships across Uganda and beyond.
“By the grace of God, my son went on to serve Tooro for 31 years. He made friends across Uganda and around the world. The people loved him and stood with him; the President supported him, and together they built Tooro Kingdom into what it is today,” she said.
Will dispute
Kemigisa said the current succession dispute escalated before the royal family had completed arrangements for Oyo’s burial.
She said President Museveni had supported efforts to return Oyo’s body to Tooro and prepare for his burial, including the construction of the royal grave and roads leading to the royal tombs.
“We thank him. The UPDF engineering brigade started building the royal grave and roads leading to the royal tombs. We thank the CDF,” she said.
But she said the family was surprised by an announcement made by journalist Andrew Mwenda before they reached Fort Portal.
“But before we could even reach Fort Portal, we had reached Kyenjojo, Andrew Mwenda announced that a self-appointed group of clan members had chosen another King,” Kemigisa said.
She accused the group of failing to first consult the royal family over Oyo’s succession plans.
“Not one of them had called me to say sorry for the loss of my son or ask about his will or plans King Oyo had left,” she said.
Kemigisa said Oyo’s will was later read at 4pm in the presence of representatives of the royal family and government officials, including the Musuuga, Princess Ruth Komuntale, Princess Margaret Komubaizi, Father Oyo, Monsignor Father Mayombo and Maj Gen Henry Tumukunde, who was representing the President.
“The Will clearly set out the order of succession to the Tooro throne,” she said.
She said the parties agreed to meet the following day under the chairmanship of Gen Tumukunde to further discuss the succession arrangements.
However, according to Kemigisa, the agreement was overtaken by the subsequent announcement of Kijanangoma as the new king.
“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,” she said.
Kemigisa said the timing of the announcement had caused particular pain to the family, which was still mourning Oyo.
“They 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,” she said.
Appeal for peace
With the succession dispute escalating, Kemigisa appealed to the UPDF leadership and President Museveni to intervene and allow the royal family to mourn without restrictions.
“And now, with the security deployment around the Palace, we cannot leave or receive people freely. We are under house arrest,” she said.
“I appeal to Gen. Kayanja Muhanga, UPDF leadership, and the president to allow our family the freedom and dignity to mourn and bury King Oyo in peace,” she added.
She also appealed to those involved in the succession dispute to postpone the contest until after the late king’s burial.
“I also appeal to those fighting over the throne: please, there will be time for all of that. Let us grieve and bury my son King Oyo,” she said.
Kemigisa described Oyo as a devoted son and king who served Tooro throughout his reign.
“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,” she said.
