Tooro Queen Mother Best Kemigisa has revealed that her late son, King Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV, left behind a child, but said the child did not return to Uganda with the royal family because of concerns over the dispute surrounding the succession.
In a statement issued after Oyo’s burial, Kemigisa said the family had initially planned for the child to travel from the United States to Uganda on the same flight that carried the late 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.
However, she said the plan changed as tensions over who should succeed Oyo grew.
“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 reveal the child’s name, age, or the identity of the mother. She also did not explain whether the child had been formally recognised under Tooro’s succession traditions or whether the child was mentioned in Oyo’s reported will.
The Queen Mother, however, referred to the child as a boy and said she did not want him exposed to the dispute over his father’s throne.
“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.
Kemigisa said she had wanted Oyo to be buried before any discussions about his successor were held.
However, a succession committee was formed shortly after the King’s death, leading to competing developments while his body was still awaiting burial.
The committee initially selected George Desmond Kamurasi, who later asked for more time to consult his family and called for an audit of the kingdom’s assets.
The process later shifted to Edward Rukiidi Kijanangoma, who performed royal rituals and was subsequently presented as the new King.
Kemigisa said the succession developments took place despite the existence of a will in which Oyo had expressed his wishes.
She also said an agreement reached before the burial was not respected.
According to Kemigisa, a memorandum of understanding signed by representatives of the government, the Queen Mother, the Omusuuga and the Babiito clan provided for Oyo to be buried with dignity without succession ceremonies being conducted 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 called for calm and said she would continue to 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 also announced plans to establish the King Oyo Memorial Foundation together with Princess Ruth Komuntale to preserve the late King’s legacy.
She said President Yoweri Museveni had agreed to serve as the foundation’s patron and founding chairman.
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 King’s model farm at Bugaaki.
Kemigisa ended her statement by saying that although Oyo had completed his earthly life, his legacy would continue through his family and the people of Tooro.
“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.”
