The family of Uganda’s late King Oyo Nyimba has rejected the television journalist selected to replace him, deepening a succession dispute involving a reported secret son, a contested will and allegations of military interference.
Prince Edward Rukidi Kijanangoma, a news anchor and editor at the state-owned Uganda Broadcasting Corporation, was selected by a royal clan committee on Wednesday to become the next king of Tooro.
However, King Oyo’s sister, Princess Ruth Komuntale, said the family would not recognise the selection because her brother left a will directing that his biological son should inherit the throne.
The dispute escalated on Thursday when Oyo’s mother, Queen Best Kemigisa, accused Uganda’s military of removing royal guards from the palace and placing members of the family under house arrest.
The allegation should therefore be presented as a claim from the Queen Mother, not as an independently confirmed military action.
