Tooro Kingdom has constituted a 21-member committee of Babiito clan elders to identify and formally announce the successor to King Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV.
The committee will operate under Charles Kamurasi, the Musuuga and head of the Babiito clan, who has taken charge of the kingdom’s funeral rites, cultural
In a statement dated August 29, the Office of the Musuuga said the decisions followed a formal meeting held at Karuziika Palace on Friday and attended by representatives of Tooro’s clans and members of the Rukurato.
“The meeting reaffirmed that succession to the throne is a cultural ritual falling under the authority and custodianship of the Office of the Musuuga, and that the Babiito clan bears responsibility for the succession plans and protocols that follow on behalf of the people of Tooro,” the statement said.
“Accordingly, a committee of 21 members has been constituted from among the elders of the Babiito clan and confirmed under the leadership of the Musuuga, head of the Babiito clan, to carry out the succession protocol on behalf of the clan and the people of Tooro in order to ensure unity, diversity and inclusiveness.”
The kingdom said the committee’s mandate includes “identification of the successor to the throne, formal announcement of the successor to the relevant stakeholders, and preparation of the traditions and cultural ceremonies attached to the succession.”
The committee includes Monsignor Dr Isaac Mayombo, Father Dr Charles Oyo, Justice Paul Mugamba, Harriet Nyakake, Patrick Muganzi and several senior Babiito clan elders.
The kingdom said all organs participating in the funeral and succession would operate under the Musuuga’s authority.
“The meeting resolved that the Office of the Musuuga holds authority and custodianship over all cultural ceremonies of the Kingdom arising from the demise of the King,” the statement said.
“As head of the Babiito clan, the Musuuga is responsible for convening and presiding over all meetings connected with the funeral, for directing preparation of the burial arrangements, and for overseeing the succession protocol from beginning to end.”
It added: “All Kingdom organs and structures engaged in the funeral and succession process act under this authority, so that the rites proceed with the order, dignity and unity that the occasion demands.”
King’s body to be taken directly to Karuziika
Under the announced funeral protocol, King Oyo’s body will be transported directly from the airport to Karuziika Palace in Fort Portal.
“The body of His Majesty shall be transported from the airport directly to Palace, Karuziika, at Kabarole,” the statement said.
“This is done in observance of the established custom that the body of the King may not be moved from place to place, since the Kingdom maintains only one Palace as the King’s official seat; every other royal building is a residence and not a palace.”
The statement added that Karuziika Palace would be “the sole and proper place” where the King’s body would remain throughout the mourning period.
“No further transfer of the body between locations will take place,” it said.
Nine days of mourning
Tooro will observe nine official days of mourning before King Oyo is buried. The countdown will begin when his body arrives at Karuziika Palace.
“In accordance with Tooro custom, the official period of mourning preceding burial shall run for nine days,” the statement said.
“This period shall be deemed to commence upon the arrival of the body of His Majesty at Karuziika Palace, and all cultural activities connected with the mourning period shall be organised and conducted with reference to that date of arrival.”
The kingdom said further information concerning the cultural programme, the Kutaabaza burial ritual and related activities would be issued by the Musuuga’s office.
A separate communications committee comprising Father Dr Charles Oyo, Musinguzi Moses and Isaac Ryabwonika will issue official information concerning the funeral and succession.
“The people of Tooro and the general public are urged to rely only on communication released through this channel,” the statement said.
The Babiito clan urged the public, government officials, cultural leaders and institutions to respect the designated cultural authorities and avoid interfering with the ceremonies.
“The cultural rites surrounding the passing of a King carry profound significance for the people of Tooro,” the statement said.
“All persons and institutions are urged to respect the established cultural authorities named above and to allow them to coordinate the rites and activities without interference.”
It added: “May the people of Tooro remain united during this solemn period.”
King Oyo died in the United States on Thursday at the age of 34 after battling aggressive brain cancer.
President Yoweri Museveni said the government supported his treatment in Germany and later in the US.
Museveni has granted the King an official burial, with the National Organising Committee working alongside Tooro Kingdom and ministers from the region.
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