PRESIDENT MUSEVENI SPEAKS OUT ON TOORO SUCCESSION, CALLS FOR UNITY
President Yoweri Museveni has called on the Batooro to resolve the ongoing Tooro Kingdom succession dispute through peaceful and legal means, urging the royal family and all concerned parties to prioritise unity over division.
“I appeal to the Batooro to use peaceful and legal means to solve this matter and also to look for maximum unity instead of division,” Museveni said.
The President’s message was delivered by Deputy Speaker of Parliament Thomas Tayebwa, who represented him as chief guest at the burial of the late Omukama Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV in Fort Portal on September 12, 2026.
Museveni also assured the Batooro that government will continue working with the eventual successor once the succession question is resolved peacefully and legally.
“When the issue of the new king of the Batooro is solved, we shall work with the king as we did with His Highness Oyo,” Museveni said.
The statement comes amid growing tension over who should succeed the late Omukama Oyo, who died at the age of 34 in August 2026 after battling cancer.
Oyo ascended the Tooro throne in 1995 at just three years old and went on to reign for more than three decades.
The succession dispute intensified after the Babiito royal clan announced Prince Edward Rukidi Kijanangoma as their preferred successor. However, members of the late King’s family have questioned the process, pointing to Oyo’s will and arguing that his wishes regarding succession should be respected.
Museveni’s latest remarks appear to place emphasis on a peaceful, lawful and united resolution, while reaffirming government’s willingness to work with whoever eventually becomes the next Omukama of Tooro.
The developments have left the Batooro waiting to see how the royal succession dispute will finally be resolved.