Rev. Fr. Charles Oyo Amooti, a member of the royal Babiito clan, has confirmed that Prince George Desmond Kamurasi, who was earlier reported to have been the preferred candidate for the Tooro throne, declined the opportunity to become the next Omukama.

The confirmation comes amid growing uncertainty surrounding the succession of the Tooro Kingdom following the death of Omukama Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV, whose passing has sparked disagreements over who should inherit the throne.

Speaking to journalists, Fr. Charles Oyo Amooti explained that the succession process required any person chosen by the clan to first accept the responsibility before they could proceed with installation arrangements.

He said the clan had considered several names during the process, but some individuals declined after being contacted because of personal responsibilities and other commitments.

“We had a number of names. Others were contacted, and they declined because they had other responsibilities. So, someone has to accept and say, ‘yes, I will, and I’m going to make this happen,’” Amooti said.

Journalists later asked him specifically whether Prince George Desmond Kamurasi was among those who rejected the opportunity to take over the Tooro throne.

Responding to the question, Amooti confirmed that Prince George was indeed one of the people who declined, saying the prince had his own responsibilities that he needed to handle.

“Yeah, he declined because he has other responsibilities that he has to undertake, and that is his right,” Amooti stated.

The confirmation puts to rest one of the questions that had surrounded the succession process after reports emerged that Prince George had initially been selected by the Royal Succession Committee as the preferred candidate.

Prince George Desmond Kamurasi is a member of the Babiito royal family and was considered by some clan members because of his royal lineage and connection to the late King Oyo.

However, after his reported decision not to take up the throne, the Babiito clan moved forward with another choice, eventually selecting Prince Edward Rukidi Kijanangoma as the next candidate for the Tooro crown.

Prince Edward, a former Uganda Broadcasting Corporation presenter, is the son of the late Prince Christopher Paul Kijanangoma and a grandson of Omukama Sir George David Rukidi III.

His selection, however, has faced resistance from some members of the royal family, including Princess Ruth Nsemere Komuntale and relatives of Musuuga Charles Kamurasi.

The royal family has argued that the late King Oyo’s wishes contained in his Last Will and Testament should be considered during the succession process.

According to reports, King Oyo’s will outlined a succession order that first considered a legally recognised biological son, followed by Prince Komwiswa Yoweri and then Prince Nyaika Solomon if the earlier options could not take the throne.

The disagreement has created tension within the kingdom, with different sides presenting different interpretations of Tooro customs, traditions and the late king’s final wishes.

The succession debate has continued even as the kingdom prepares to lay King Oyo to rest, with several leaders calling for calm and unity during the mourning period.

Tooro Prime Minister Calvin Armstrong Rwomiire Akiiki has urged all parties to first allow the kingdom to bury its late monarch before continuing discussions about the future of the crown.

Queen Mother Best Kemigisa has also appealed to all sides to give the royal family time to mourn, saying the focus should remain on giving King Oyo a dignified burial.

As the succession process continues, attention remains on how the Babiito clan, the royal family and other stakeholders will resolve the disagreements surrounding the next Omukama of Tooro.

The confirmation by Fr. Amooti that Prince George declined the throne adds another major development to a succession debate that has become one of the biggest issues facing the kingdom since King Oyo’s death.