The Tooro Kingdom succession process took an unexpected turn after Prince George Desmond Kamurasi, who had emerged as the first choice of the Royal Succession Committee, declined the opportunity to become the next Omukama of Tooro.

Kamurasi, a London-based Ugandan goalkeeper, was selected by the 21-member Royal Succession Committee as the preferred candidate to succeed the late King Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV.

However, reports indicate that Kamurasi did not immediately accept the throne, saying he needed more time to consult his family and consider the major changes that would come with becoming the cultural leader of Tooro.

At the time, Kamurasi was living in the United Kingdom with his family, including his British partner and children, and taking up the role of Omukama would have required him to relocate and assume new responsibilities in Uganda.

Sources familiar with the succession discussions said Kamurasi wanted to consult his family before making a final commitment because accepting the crown would completely change their lives.

Beyond family consultations, Kamurasi reportedly raised concerns about the management of Tooro Kingdom assets and properties.

He wanted an audit of the kingdom’s properties and resources before accepting the throne, with the aim of establishing a clear distinction between assets belonging to the kingdom and those owned privately by individuals.

Kamurasi’s position was reportedly that the institution needed transparency and proper documentation of its resources before a new king took over leadership.

He wanted the kingdom’s property to be clearly separated from personal property so that the monarchy could move forward with a clear understanding of its assets and responsibilities.

However, the succession process was moving quickly following the death of King Oyo, creating pressure for the Babiito royal clan to identify a successor.

Kamurasi’s request for more time to consult his family and address the asset questions did not align with the urgency surrounding the transition.

Fr. Dr Charles Oyo Amooti, a member of the Royal Succession Committee, confirmed that Kamurasi had been the committee’s first choice after the vetting process.

“After vetting the candidates, we numbered them. We had priority one, priority two and priority three,” Fr. Oyo said.

He explained that after the candidates were ranked, the committee engaged them individually to discuss the possibility of taking over the throne.

According to Fr. Oyo, the first candidate informed the committee that he had existing responsibilities and was not ready to become king.

Following Kamurasi’s decision, the committee moved to the next candidate on its list.

The clan later selected Prince Edward Rukidi Kijanangoma, a former Uganda Broadcasting Corporation journalist and editor, as the next Omukama of Tooro.

However, the selection of Kijanangoma has faced resistance from some members of King Oyo’s immediate family, who have pointed to the late king’s reported 2022 will.

The document has become a central issue in the succession debate, with arguments surrounding whether King Oyo’s legally recognised biological son should have been considered first in the transition.

The will reportedly provided for a preferred heir and outlined alternatives in case the first choice could not assume the throne.

Meanwhile, Kamurasi’s background has continued to attract attention because of the contrast between his life in the United Kingdom and the traditional responsibilities attached to becoming Omukama.

In Britain, Kamurasi is known as “Big G” and serves as captain and goalkeeper for southeast London football club SE Dons.

His decision to request more time before accepting the crown highlights the difficult balance between personal commitments, family considerations and the expectations that come with leading one of Uganda’s oldest cultural institutions.

The succession debate continues as Tooro moves toward installing a new king while questions surrounding tradition, royal wishes and the management of kingdom affairs remain part of the wider discussion.