Tooro Queen Mother Best Kemigisa has reaffirmed that her late son, King Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV, left behind a son who remains in Texas, saying the child was not brought to Uganda because of concerns that he could be drawn into the ongoing succession dispute in Tooro Kingdom.
In a five-page Statement of Appreciation issued after King Oyo’s burial, Kemigisa said the royal family had initially hoped to return to Uganda with the child after leaving the United States, but changed plans as tensions surrounding the succession grew.
“Before leaving Texas, our family had hoped that King Oyo’s child would return on the same plane with us,” Kemigisa said.
“However, as events unfolded in Tooro, concerns grew about bringing a child into a tense and polarised succession dispute. Ultimately, the child did not return with us.”
She added: “This has left me deeply saddened. Whatever disagreements existed, no child should ever be placed in circumstances where returning to his father’s homeland could mean being drawn into hostility and conflict.”
King Oyo died aged 34 in the United States on August 27, 2026, after receiving cancer treatment. His death triggered a dispute over who should succeed him, with the Babiito royal clan electing his cousin, Prince Edward Rukidi Kijanangoma, as the new Omukama.
The election was opposed by Kemigisa and Oyo’s sister, Princess Ruth Nsemere Komuntale, who have cited a 2022 will in which Oyo reportedly named his biological son as his heir.
The will, dated September 14, 2022, states that if Oyo was survived by a son lawfully recognised as his biological child, he appointed that son as heir to the Tooro throne.
The Attorney General, Dr Sam Mayanja, has also said the will should guide the succession if the child is legally recognised as Oyo’s biological son. His legal opinion was based on the Constitution, Tooro customs and traditions and the contents of the will.
The Babiito royal clan, however, has questioned the existence and status of the reported heir and maintained that the succession process followed established clan procedures.
‘Let a mother mourn her child’
In her statement, Kemigisa said her preference had been to postpone succession discussions until after Oyo’s burial.
“Throughout this painful period, I had one simple wish: let us first bury my son peacefully and with dignity. Let a mother mourn her child. Let Tooro mourn its King. Then, when he has been laid to rest, let questions of succession be addressed calmly, lawfully and respectfully,” she said.
She criticised the decision to begin succession activities shortly after Oyo’s death and claimed that another king was announced shortly after the reading of Oyo’s will to members of the royal family, Musuuga and representatives of the Babiito clan.
“A couple of days after we reached Karuziika Palace, and with my son’s burial still ahead of us, another announcement of a second king was made immediately after the Will of King Oyo was read,” she said.
“Loud celebrations took place only metres from where my son’s body lay.”
Kemigisa also alleged that an understanding reached before the burial that succession disputes and rituals would not take place during the funeral was not honoured.
“Whatever disagreements existed, no child should ever be placed in circumstances where returning to his father’s homeland could mean being drawn into hostility and conflict,” she said.
Foundation to preserve Oyo’s legacy
Despite the dispute, Kemigisa said she did not want anger to determine the family’s response.
“But today, I do not want anger to have the final word. I want gratitude, faith, hope and service to have the final word,” she said.
She said she and Princess Ruth would establish the King Oyo Memorial Foundation to preserve the late monarch’s legacy.
The foundation’s planned projects include the King Oyo Tooro Museum, an international stadium, a research and teaching hospital with cancer and HIV research centres, and an expanded agricultural centre at Oyo’s Bugaaki farm.
“These projects are not simply monuments bearing King Oyo’s name. They are his legacy put to work for the people,” Kemigisa said. “This is how Princess Ruth and I want to mourn King Oyo: not only with tears, but with service.”
She also thanked President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni for supporting the family during Oyo’s illness and funeral arrangements and for agreeing to serve as Patron and Founding Chairman of the King Oyo Memorial Foundation.
The succession dispute remains unresolved. The Babiito clan has proceeded with preparations to install Kijanangoma, while Oyo’s immediate family continues to maintain that his wishes concerning his son should be respected. The conflicting positions have also produced differing interpretations of Tooro customs, the late king’s will and the legal framework governing traditional leadership.
Kemigisa ended her statement by saying that Oyo’s story should not end with his death.
“My son has finished his earthly journey, but his story has not ended,” she said. “His mother is still here. His sister is still here. His child is still here. His people are still here. And God is still with us.”
She called on Tooro subjects and Oyo’s supporters to “build rather than divide” and said she and Princess Ruth would continue working to protect his memory and legacy.