Tooro Queen Mother Best Kemigisa has publicly reaffirmed that her late son, King Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV, left behind a child, adding a new dimension to the kingdom’s contested succession.
In a statement issued after Oyo’s burial, Kemigisa said the late monarch’s child had been expected to travel from the United States to Uganda aboard the same flight carrying the King’s body.
“Before leaving Texas, our family had hoped that King Oyo’s child would return on the same plane with us,” Kemigisa said.
She said the plan was abandoned because of fears that the child could be drawn into the increasingly tense dispute over the Tooro throne.
“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 said.
Kemigisa did not disclose the child’s name, age, gender or the identity of the mother.
She also did not state whether the child was recognised under Tooro’s succession traditions or named in Oyo’s reported will.
Her declaration is nevertheless significant because the succession process proceeded on the understanding that Oyo had died without a publicly recognised heir.
“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,” Kemigisa said, referring to the child as male.
The Queen Mother said she had wanted Oyo to be buried before discussions about his successor began.
However, a succession committee was constituted shortly after his death and competing announcements followed while his body was still awaiting burial.
George Desmond Kamurasi was initially selected by the committee but later asked for time to consult his family and called for an audit of the kingdom’s assets.
The process subsequently shifted to Edward Rukiidi Kijanangoma, who performed royal rituals and was presented as the new King.
Kemigisa said these developments occurred despite the existence of a will in which Oyo had expressed his wishes.
She also accused sections of the royal establishment of disregarding an agreement reached before the burial. The memorandum of understanding, signed by representatives of the government, the Queen Mother, the Omusuuga and the Babiito clan, provided for a dignified burial without succession ceremonies at the royal tombs.
“The understandings reached before the burial were not honoured, and the events of those final moments caused my daughter, Princess Komuntale, and me profound distress,” she said.
Despite the dispute, Kemigisa appealed for calm and said she would respect lawful processes.
“We will continue to seek peace, to respect lawful processes and to trust God with what is beyond our hands,” she said. “King Oyo’s wishes will always matter to us.”
Kemigisa announced that she and Princess Ruth Komuntale would establish the King Oyo Memorial Foundation to protect his legacy.
President Yoweri Museveni has agreed to serve as its patron and founding chairman, she said.
The family also plans to establish a King Oyo museum, pursue the construction of the King Oyo International Stadium, develop a research and teaching hospital and expand the late monarch’s model farm at Bugaaki.
Closing her statement, Kemigisa again referred to Oyo’s child as one of the people through whom his legacy would continue.
“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.”
