The Tooro royal succession has moved forward, with elders of the Babiito royal clan selecting George Desmond Kamurasi, 36, as the next King of Tooro following the death of King Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV.
Kamurasi, a cousin of the late king, was chosen on Friday by the 21-member Royal Succession Committee during a meeting at Fort Motel in Fort Portal City. Of the 21 committee members, 18 attended, and 15 voted in favor of Kamurasi. The committee, chaired by Omusuuga Charles Akiiki Kamurasi, was formed by the Babiito clan on August 28 and has since been holding consultations on the succession.
Kamurasi is the son of George Desmond “Jimmy” Mugenyi, younger brother of the late King Patrick David Mathew Olimi Kaboyo II. According to the will of their father, King George Rukidi III, Kamurasi was second in line to succeed his elder brother, giving his selection a direct basis in established royal lineage.
Following the committee’s decision, discussions were held with Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, Chief of Defence Forces of the Uganda People’s Defence Forces and Chairman of the Patriotic League of Uganda, along with Gen. Kayanja Muhanga. Gen. Kainerugaba reportedly endorsed the committee’s choice, describing it as consistent with Tooro customs, succession precedent, and the kingdom’s governing laws. He is also said to have conveyed that President Yoweri Museveni supports the committee’s decision. The President reportedly sent a team led by a senior Cabinet minister to Fort Portal to consult stakeholders, who concluded there was broad consensus in favor of Kamurasi.
Kamurasi has not yet been formally proclaimed King of Tooro. The Omusuuga is expected to formally communicate the decision to Babiito clan leaders, with the public proclamation expected to follow King Oyo’s burial. According to the report, the early disclosure of Kamurasi’s selection was intended to curb social media speculation about the succession ahead of the formal announcement.
