The succession debate in Tooro Kingdom has taken another dramatic turn after Omusuuga Charles Akiiki Kamurasi revealed that the keys to the royal palace are missing, as the Tooro Orukurato (Supreme Council) moved to recognise Prince Edward Rukidi Nyabongo I as the new Omukama of Tooro.

The revelation about the missing palace keys has added a new dimension to the ongoing succession discussions that have attracted attention from members of the royal family, kingdom officials and cultural leaders following the death of the late Omukama Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV.

Addressing members of the Tooro Orukurato, Omusuuga Kamurasi questioned the whereabouts of the palace keys, saying their absence had become one of the issues affecting the transition process at the royal institution.

Kamurasi, who previously chaired the Royal Succession Committee, maintained that Tooro already has a successor and that the process of moving forward must be guided by the traditions of the kingdom and the laws of Uganda.

The Tooro Orukurato later recognised Prince Edward Rukidi Nyabongo I as the new Omukama of Tooro, saying his selection followed the cultural procedures and traditions that guide the kingdom’s leadership.

The decision comes after weeks of uncertainty and disagreements over who should succeed the late King Oyo, whose death created a major transition moment for one of Uganda’s oldest cultural institutions.

Omukama Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV passed away in August 2026 after a battle with cancer, ending a reign that lasted more than three decades after he ascended the throne as a young child.

Following his death, questions emerged over the succession process, including who had the authority to identify the next king and whether there were existing wishes left behind by the late monarch.

Earlier, the Royal Succession Committee chaired by Omusuuga Kamurasi had selected George Desmond Kamurasi, a cousin of the late king, as a possible successor during a meeting held at Fort Motel in Fort Portal.

However, that decision faced resistance from some members of the royal family and other stakeholders who questioned the process used to arrive at the selection.

Princess Ruth Komuntale, the sister of the late Omukama Oyo, publicly raised concerns about the succession process, arguing that the matter had not been fully settled.

She also maintained that the late king had a legitimate heir, sparking further discussions about whether the king’s son should have been considered in determining the next ruler of Tooro.

The succession debate also attracted the attention of other members of the royal family, including Princess Elizabeth Bagaya, as discussions continued over the future leadership of the kingdom.

Tooro Prime Minister Omuhikirwa Calvin Armstrong Rwomiire Akiiki has repeatedly called for calm and urged all parties involved to handle the matter carefully to protect the unity and traditions of the kingdom.

The recognition of Edward Rukidi Nyabongo I marks a new stage in the succession process, replacing the earlier focus on George Desmond Kamurasi as the possible successor.

Edward Kijanangoma, a member of the Tooro royal family, emerged as the preferred choice of the Orukurato after consultations following the burial of the late King Oyo.

His recognition now places him at the centre of preparations for the next chapter of the Tooro monarchy, although disagreements surrounding the process remain unresolved.

The issue of the missing palace keys has become a symbolic part of the transition, with many viewing access to Karuziika Palace as an important element in the transfer of authority.

Karuziika Palace, the official residence and traditional seat of the Omukama, has historically represented the power and continuity of the Tooro monarchy, making the question of its control significant during the transition period.

The succession debate has also continued alongside discussions surrounding a document reportedly linked to the late King Oyo’s wishes, which some members have referred to while discussing inheritance and the future of the monarchy.

As Tooro moves closer to installing a new king, attention is now focused on whether all sections of the royal family and kingdom leadership will accept the decision made by the Orukurato.

The approval of Edward Kijanangoma by the Supreme Council represents a major development, but the coming days will determine how the kingdom handles the remaining disagreements and prepares for the next era of Tooro leadership.

Meanwhile, Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba has approved the selection of Edward Kijanangoma as the new Omukama of Tooro, while the Minister of Culture is expected to gazette the new king as part of the formal process.