Uganda’s King Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV, who was recognised as the world’s youngest reigning monarch when he ascended the throne at the age of three, has been buried amid a growing dispute over who will succeed him as king of the Tooro Kingdom.

Thousands of mourners gathered in Fort Portal, western Uganda, on Saturday, September 12, to pay their final respects to the monarch, who reigned for 31 years before his death at the age of 34.

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King Oyo died while undergoing cancer treatment in the United States.

His sister, Princess Ruth Komuntale, paid an emotional tribute during the burial ceremony at Saint John’s Cathedral, describing the late monarch as a joyful person who had a special ability to make people laugh.

“He had a gift to make people laugh. He always knew how to brighten my day,” she said while fighting back tears.

However, the solemn burial was overshadowed by an unresolved succession dispute within the royal family and the wider Tooro Kingdom.

A selection committee from the Babiito royal clan announced on Wednesday that Prince Edward Rukidi Kijanangoma, a news anchor with Uganda’s public broadcaster, UBC, had been selected to succeed King Oyo.

The decision has, however, been rejected by Princess Komuntale, who accused unnamed individuals of conspiring against her and the Queen Mother.

Komuntale produced what she described as a will written by King Oyo in 2022, in which she said the late monarch named a “biological son” as his successor. She did not disclose the identity of the alleged son.

The revelation reportedly came as a surprise to members of the Tooro elite, who said they had not previously been aware of the existence of such a son. The alleged son was also not included in the succession vote conducted by the royal clan.

The Queen Mother has separately alleged that she and other members of the royal family were placed under effective house arrest during the succession dispute.

The controversy has prompted calls for calm as the kingdom attempts to honour the late monarch while resolving the question of his successor.

Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni, whose message was read during Saturday’s burial ceremony, appealed to members of the Batoro community to resolve the dispute peacefully and through lawful means.

“Once the matter of the new king of the Batoro is settled, we will be happy to work with him, just as we did with His Highness Oyo,” Museveni said.

He urged the community to prioritise unity over division.

“I call on the Batoro to use peaceful and lawful means to resolve this issue and to favour unity over division,” he added.

The Babiito royal clan has defended its selection of Prince Edward Rukidi Kijanangoma, insisting that the process was conducted in accordance with the traditions and customs of the Tooro Kingdom.

The head of the clan, Omusuuga Charles Karumasi, called on members of the kingdom to preserve peace and stability.

“We have done everything in observance of the culture and traditions of Tooro. We must all preserve peace and serenity,” he said.

King Oyo became Omukama (King) of Tooro in 1995 following the death of his father, King Patrick Matthew Kaboyo Olimi III. His accession at the age of three made him one of the world’s youngest monarchs and attracted international attention.

He remained a prominent cultural figure in Uganda for more than three decades, serving as the traditional ruler of the Tooro Kingdom until his death.

His burial now comes at a critical moment for the kingdom, with the royal family divided over the succession and competing claims raising questions about the future leadership of Tooro.

The kingdom is expected to continue consultations and efforts to resolve the dispute as the Batoro seek to preserve the unity and traditions associated with the institution of the Omukama.