FORT PORTAL,TOORO: 10 September, 2026- In an emotional statement released on September 10, 2026, the Queen Mother of Tooro Kingdom, Her Majesty Best Kemigisa, expressed deep grief and outrage over growing security restrictions and a escalating succession rift following the death of her son, King Oyo, who passed away from cancer on August 27 after reigning for 31 years.
The Queen Mother revealed that the royal family currently finds itself under virtual house arrest at the Palace, alleging that military forces under Gen. Kayanja Muhanga removed the royal guards without notice and deployed troops around the premises. According to Kemigisa, the family is unable to leave or receive visitors freely, prompting her to appeal directly to Gen. Muhanga, the UPDF leadership, and the President to allow them to mourn and lay the King to rest in dignity.
The statement highlights a bitter succession dispute within the Babiito clan. Kemigisa recounted that as the cortege reached Kyenjojo en route to Fort Portal, veteran journalist Andrew Mwenda announced that a faction of clan members had chosen a new King—bypassing the late King’s official will.
Although King Oyo’s will was officially read at 4:00 PM before key stakeholders—including representatives of the Royal Family, government officials, and Minister Maj. Gen. Henry Tumukunde—clan leaders allegedly held a separate press conference that same evening to declare their own monarch in direct contradiction to the document.
”They chose to jubilate while my son was still lying in his casket next to them,” Kemigisa stated, calling the actions deeply hurtful to her grieving family.
Reflecting on her past struggles, the Queen Mother drew parallels to the ascension of King Oyo 31 years ago, when she had to fight similar clan opposition following the death of her husband, Omukama Patrick. She urged rival factions to pause political maneuvering until after the burial, pleading for peace, respect, and the opportunity to give the late King a fitting send-off.
