Musuuga’s sons reject Kijanangoma as new Tooro King

The sons of Babiito royal clan head Musuuga Charles Kamurasi have rejected the selection of Prince Edward Rukidi Kijanangoma as the new Omukama of Tooro, accusing members of the clan of disregarding the wishes of the late King Oyo.

Speaking to journalists at Karuziika Palace in Fort Portal on Thursday afternoon, Yoweri Komwiswa Nyaika and his brother Solomon Mpuuga said they were disappointed with their father for supporting a succession process which, in their view, ignored the late king’s wishes.

Solomon Mpuuga addressing the media

Mpuuga said the family had been informed about Oyo’s purported will and had agreed to find a way forward, only to be surprised when members of the Babiito clan announced a different successor.

Nyaika accused some members of the Babiito clan of influencing their father and attempting to undermine the legacy of the late king. He alleged that some of those involved in the succession process were motivated by interests in kingdom property and were opposed to people from certain tribes within Tooro.

Nyaika addressing the media

The two brothers also claimed that King Oyo had relieved their father of his duties as Musuuga following his 30th coronation anniversary celebrations last year. They said Oyo subsequently appointed Mpuuga to take over as Musuuga.

Nyaika on Musuuga appointment

Their claims have added another layer to the succession dispute that erupted on Wednesday evening when a 21-member committee constituted by the Babiito royal clan announced Kijanangoma as the new Omukama following King Oyo’s death.

The announcement was immediately rejected by members of the royal family, led by Princess Ruth Komuntale Nsemere and Princess Elizabeth Bagaya, who said Oyo had left a will outlining his succession plan.

According to the family members, the purported will provides for Oyo’s son to succeed him and names Yoweri Komwiswa and Solomon Nyaika, both sons of Musuuga Kamurasi, as possible successors should Oyo’s son be incapacitated.

The competing claims have raised questions over the authority of the succession committee and whether the traditional process that resulted in Kijanangoma’s selection had the backing of all key members of the royal family and Babiito clan.

Despite their opposition to Kijanangoma’s selection, Nyaika and Mpuuga called for peace and unity among the people of Tooro, saying the succession dispute should be resolved without dividing the kingdom.

However, Moses Musinguzi, spokesperson for the Babiito clan, said the traditional process to install Kijanangoma would proceed.

Musinguzi maintained that the decision to select and announce the new king was guided by the traditions of Tooro and the established procedures of the Babiito clan.

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