Princess Ruth Komuntale has rejected the announcement naming Prince Edward Rukidi Kijanangoma as the next king of Tooro, saying it does not reflect her late brother’s wishes and came before a planned review of his will with lawyers.
In the statement aired on Tayari TV, Princess Komuntale said the late Omukama Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV had identified his son as his heir and provided instructions for alternative successors.
Her remarks follow reports that Babiito clan leaders announced Prince Edward’s selection at Karuziika Palace on September 9.
Princess Komuntale said family members and other participants had held a constructive meeting hours earlier to discuss the will. According to her account, Musuuga Charles Kamurasi and other Babiito members attended, and a further meeting with lawyers was planned for the following day before a successor would be proclaimed.
“What was mentioned today was not accurate. I just want to really reiterate that,” she said.
The princess said the announcement had surprised the family and brought confusion at a time when they were still mourning her brother.
“We have not even buried my brother yet, and they’re bringing all this confusion and all this turmoil. We can’t even mourn my brother in peace,” she said.
She appealed to the people of Tooro to remain calm and united, describing her brother as a peaceful person whose memory should be honoured through peace.
The contents of the will and Komuntale’s account of the private meeting have not been independently verified.
Princess Komuntale’s statement
“Clearly, the person in line is his son. That’s the next heir to the throne. And he also left very strict instructions on any other successors who might take over, just in case of a plan B. But what was mentioned today was not accurate. I just want to really reiterate that.
“Earlier, a few hours ago, we had a meeting with General Tumukunde, and in that meeting, Musuuga Charles Kamurasi was also there with other Babiito who were also in that outside meeting, which we don’t even know what that was about.
“They were all here, literally, in the setting, at a very good, constructive meeting. We went over the will, and the plan was actually to meet again tomorrow with some lawyers to go over the will one more time before the next successor is actually proclaimed and mentioned.
“So, what happened today honestly really took us by surprise. We had no idea it was going to happen. We’re very confused, but I just wanted to tell you, as my late brother’s sister, that that information is incorrect. My brother never left those instructions at all.
“So, we just want to refute all that information. And it’s very unfortunate that we have not even buried my brother yet, and they’re bringing all this confusion and all this turmoil. We can’t even mourn my brother in peace.
“So, I just want to call out to the people of Tooro to please stay calm. My brother was a very peaceful and calm person. So please, at least to honour him, please stop all this drama and this disunity, because I’m sure he’s very unhappy right now, looking down in disappointment.
“So please, for the sake of my brother, for the love of God, let us stay peaceful and just stay united as we continue to progress and move forward in the decision-making.”
