Uganda’s Tooro Kingdom has buried King Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV, bringing to an end a 31-year reign that began when he was just three years old.
King Oyo, who died aged 34 on August 27 while receiving cancer treatment in the United States, was laid to rest on Saturday, September 12, at the Karambi Royal Tombs in Fort Portal, the traditional burial ground for Tooro monarchs.
Thousands of mourners gathered in the city for his final send-off.
His death has, however, been followed by a succession dispute that has divided members of the royal family and the Babiito royal clan.
The Babiito clan’s 21-member succession committee selected Prince Edward Rukidi Kijanangoma, a television news anchor and editor at Uganda’s public broadcaster, as the next king.
But King Oyo’s mother, Queen Mother Best Kemigisa, and his sister, Princess Ruth Nsemere Komuntale, have challenged the decision.
They say Oyo left a will directing that a son who was legally recognised as his biological child should inherit the throne.
The identity and legal status of the alleged son have become central to the dispute.
The Queen Mother has also accused members of the royal clan of announcing a successor before the family had properly discussed Oyo’s alleged wishes.
She said the will was read to members of the royal family and government representatives on the day of his death.
The Babiito clan, which traditionally oversees succession to the Tooro throne, has maintained that the process falls under its authority.
The kingdom had established the succession committee to identify and formally announce the next monarch following Oyo’s death.
Oyo became king on September 12, 1995, following the death of his father, Omukama Patrick Olimi Kaboyo II, becoming the world’s youngest reigning monarch and attracted international attention as the child king of one of Uganda’s historic kingdoms.