By Eye Media Uganda | Fort Portal | September 10, 2026
Tooro Queen Mother Best Kemigisa has accused selected Babiito clan members of celebrating the appointment of another King while her only son still lies in a casket.
In a statement issued on September 10, 2026, Queen Kemigisa demanded that King Oyo’s will regarding his successor be respected.
“They chose to jubilate while my son was still lying in his casket next to them,” the Queen Mother said.
“That is what has hurt us most. My daughter is devastated. Our family is grieving.”
Queen Kemigisa said King Oyo’s will was read at 4pm Wednesday September 9, 2026 before representatives of the Royal Family and government.
Those present reportedly included Omusuuga Charles Kamurasi, Princess Ruth Komuntale, Princess Margaret Komubaizi, Monsignor Mayombo and Maj. Gen. Henry Tumukunde.
She said the will clearly established the order of succession to the Tooro throne.
According to the Queen Mother, the parties agreed to meet again the following day under the chairmanship of Maj. Gen. Tumukunde, who represented President Yoweri Museveni.
However, she said selected clan members convened a press conference that evening and announced their preferred King despite the earlier agreement.
The clan’s succession committee named Prince Edward Rukidi Kijanangoma as crown prince to succeed King Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV.
Queen Kemigisa accused the group of disregarding the late King’s will and failing to consult his immediate family.
She said the succession dispute reopened painful memories of the battle she fought to protect Oyo’s right to the throne after his father died.
Queen Kemigisa said she was only 26 when she lost her husband, Omukama Patrick Kaboyo, while King Oyo was two years old.
She alleged that some Babiito clan members later claimed the young prince was too young to become King and pushed for his uncle to take the throne.
The matter went to court, where King Oyo’s right to succeed his father was upheld.
Queen Kemigisa also recalled losing her young daughter, Princess Cecilia, to leukaemia and accused the clan leaders of abandoning her family during that tragedy.
“None of these clan leaders you saw today came to see us or helped us bury her,” she said.
King Oyo went on to serve Tooro for 31 years before dying from cancer in the United States on August 27, 2026.
The Queen Mother thanked President Museveni for helping return her son’s body to Tooro with dignity.
She also appreciated the UPDF Engineering Brigade for constructing the royal grave and improving roads leading to the royal tombs.
However, Queen Kemigisa alleged that Gen. Kayanja Muhanga later removed the royal guards without notice and deployed troops around the palace.
She further claimed that Musuuga Kamurasi was taken to an undisclosed location.
The Queen Mother said the security deployment had restricted the family’s movement and ability to receive mourners freely.
“We are under house arrest,” she alleged, appealing to Gen. Muhanga, the UPDF leadership and President Museveni to intervene.
She asked those fighting over the throne to suspend their disagreements and allow the family to bury King Oyo peacefully.
“He was a good son. He was a good King. He loved Tooro and served his people for 31 years,” Queen Kemigisa said.
“Please allow us to send him home with the dignity and respect he deserves.”
King Oyo is expected to be buried at the royal tombs on Saturday, September 12, 2026.
The UPDF and the accused Babiito clan members had not publicly responded to the Queen Mother’s allegations by publication time.
