TAKEAWAYS

• Queen Mother Best Kemigisa says King Oyo’s will clearly provided for succession to the Tooro throne.
• She accuses a group of clan members of announcing another King before Oyo’s burial.
• She appeals to Government, security agencies and rival claimants to allow the family to mourn and bury Oyo peacefully.

The Queen Mother of Tooro Kingdom, Her Royal Highness Best Kemigisa, has appealed for calm as tensions surrounding the succession of the late King Oyo continue to deepen.

In a statement dated September 10, 2026, Kemigisa described the situation as deeply painful, recalling the challenges surrounding the succession of her son when he was only three years old.

She said the royal family had previously faced a legal battle over Oyo’s right to the throne following the death of his father, Omukama Patrick Matthew Kaboyo Olimi III.

According to the Queen Mother, Oyo eventually went on to serve Tooro for 31 years, building relationships across Uganda and internationally.

“On 27th August, I lost my only son, King Oyo, to cancer,” she said.

Kemigisa also acknowledged the role played by President Yoweri Museveni and the UPDF in bringing Oyo’s body back to Tooro and preparing the royal burial grounds.

However, she said the succession dispute erupted before the family had even reached Fort Portal for the burial.

She claimed that while the royal family was travelling, Andrew Mwenda announced that a group of clan members had selected another King, without first consulting her about Oyo’s will or his wishes.

The Queen Mother said Oyo’s will was later read before representatives of the Royal Family and Government, including Maj. Gen. Henry Tumukunde, and that it “clearly set out the order of succession to the Tooro throne.”

But hours later, she said, the rival group held a press conference and announced their own King.

Kemigisa has now appealed directly to the Government and security leadership following the deployment of troops around the Palace.

She said the family is unable to freely leave or receive visitors, describing the situation as being under “house arrest.”

“I also appeal to those fighting over the throne: please, there will be time for all of that. Let us grieve and bury my son King Oyo,” she said.

Her statement comes amid growing public attention over the competing claims to the Tooro throne, including Prince David Kijanangoma’s rejection of the rival succession process.

For the Queen Mother, however, the immediate priority is clear: bury King Oyo in peace, dignity and respect before the succession battle continues.