Thousands of people gathered in Uganda on Saturday to pay their final respects to King Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV, who ruled the Tooro Kingdom for 31 years.
Oyo, who ascended the throne at the age of three and was recognised by Guinness World Records as the world’s youngest reigning monarch, died aged 34 while receiving cancer treatment in the United States.
His funeral was held at Saint John’s Cathedral in Fort Portal, western Uganda, where his sister, Princess Ruth Komuntale, remembered him for his cheerful personality.
“He had a gift to make people laugh,” she said during the ceremony.
“He always knew how to brighten my day,” she added emotionally.
Oyo’s death has, however, been overshadowed by a dispute over who should succeed him as king of the Batoro.
Succession dispute deepens
The late king’s mother has accused some members of the royal establishment of placing her and other members of the family under effective house arrest amid the dispute.
On Wednesday, a selection committee from the Babiito royal clan announced that Prince Edward Rukidi Kijanangoma, a news anchor with Uganda’s public broadcaster, UBC, had been chosen to succeed Oyo.
Princess Ruth opposed the decision and accused what she called “evil vultures” of conspiring against her and the Queen Mother.
She also produced a will which she said Oyo drafted in 2022. According to her, the document designated “a biological son” as the rightful heir, although it did not identify the son by name.
The disclosure surprised some members of the Tooro elite, who had reportedly never heard of the alleged son and did not include him in the succession vote.
Museveni calls for unity
Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni urged the Batoro to resolve the succession dispute peacefully and preserve unity.
“Once the matter of the new king of the Batoro is settled, we will be happy to work with him, just as we did with His Highness Oyo,” Museveni said in a statement read during Saturday’s burial ceremony.
“I call on the Batoro to use peaceful and lawful means to resolve this issue and to favour unity over division.”
The Babiito royal clan, which traditionally handles matters relating to royal lineages, succession and family affairs, defended its choice of successor.
“We have done everything in observance of the culture and traditions of Tooro. We must all preserve peace and serenity,” the head of the clan, Omusuuga Charles Karumasi, said.
The Tooro Kingdom is one of four traditional kingdoms officially recognised by Uganda. Although the country is a republic, the kingdoms largely operate as cultural institutions with limited political powers.
The burial of King Oyo marks the end of a remarkable 31-year reign that began when he was only three years old, but his succession remains unresolved.