Princess Komuntale Rejects Tooro Royal Committee’s Decision on Next King

A fresh dispute has emerged over the succession to the Tooro Kingdom throne after Princess Ruth Nsemere Komuntale, the elder sister of the late King Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV, rejected the decision reached by the 21-member Royal Clan Committee on the next Omukama.

Speaking during a press conference at the palace on Wednesday evening, Princess Komuntale said the committee had not followed the proper procedure in selecting the late king’s successor.

She maintained that King Oyo left behind a will indicating who should take over the throne, and argued that the document must be considered before any succession decision is finalised.

Princess Komuntale was joined by Princess Elizabeth Bagaya, an aunt to the late king and one of Tooro’s most respected royal figures.

The development introduces a new layer of uncertainty into a transition already being closely watched across Uganda and the wider East African region. The Tooro Kingdom has been in mourning following the death of King Oyo, whose reign began in 1995 when he became king at the age of three.

The royal committee’s decision had been expected to provide clarity and continuity for the Babiito royal family. However, the objections raised by Princess Komuntale could trigger renewed consultations among royal clan leaders, family members and kingdom elders.

At the centre of the emerging controversy is the question of whether the late king’s reported wishes were formally presented, considered and recognised during the succession process.

The Tooro Kingdom has not yet issued a detailed public response to Princess Komuntale’s claims. As discussions continue, the kingdom faces pressure to handle the matter with transparency, respect for royal tradition and unity among the Batooro people.