Why Omukama retained Omusuuga, Rwomiire as Tooro begins new reign

Omukama Edward Rukidi Kijanangoma Nyabongo I has retained Charles Kayondo Kamurasi as Omusuuga, the head of the Babiito royal clan, as he begins reorganising the administration of Tooro Kingdom following his installation as the new king.

Kamurasi, who played a central role in the process that identified Nyabongo as the successor to the late Omukama Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV, will continue serving as the chief custodian of the Babiito royal clan.

The new Omukama has also retained Armstrong Calvin Rwomiire as Omuhikirwa, or Prime Minister, but granted him a six-month extension to oversee the transition from the previous administration and ensure continuity in the day-to-day running of the Kingdom.

Omubiito Kato Rwakatale will equally remain Assistant Musuuga.

The appointments were announced on Monday evening by the Omukama’s Principal Personal Assistant and spokesperson, Paul Nyakaana Akiiki, at a brief press conference at Karuziika Palace.

The decision to retain the three senior officials gives the new reign an element of continuity at a time when the Kingdom is emerging from one of its most closely watched leadership transitions.

It also comes weeks after a public disagreement between Rwomiire and Kamurasi over the succession to the throne following the death of King Oyo on August 27.

In the days after Oyo’s death, Rwomiire announced that the late king had left behind a prince who would succeed him. President Museveni also said an heir existed.

Kamurasi, however, publicly disputed the claims, saying the Babiito royal clan had not been formally informed of any biological son of the late king.

The disagreement exposed tensions between the Kingdom’s administrative leadership, headed by the Omuhikirwa, and the Babiito royal clan, which traditionally oversees the succession process.

At one point, Rwomiire and Kamurasi differed over a planned meeting of the Tooro Supreme Council. Kamurasi had called for the council to sit at Muchwa, but the meeting was later postponed by Rwomiire, who said the Kingdom needed to concentrate on arrangements for the return and burial of King Oyo.

Security officers subsequently blocked some Kingdom officials and council members from accessing the premises where the meeting was expected to take place, further highlighting the tensions within the institution.

Rwomiire later called for talks with Kamurasi to resolve the differences, while urging Kingdom leaders to keep their disagreements away from the public during the mourning period.

The succession dispute was eventually resolved through the Babiito royal clan and the Tooro Supreme Council.

Kamurasi chaired a 21-member succession committee that identified Prince Edward Rukidi Kijanangoma as the successor. The Supreme Council subsequently endorsed him on September 15, paving the way for his coronation on September 29.

Nyabongo I, formerly Prince Edward Kijanangoma, is the son of the late Prince Christopher Paul Kijanangoma, grandson of former Omukama Sir George David Rukidi III and a cousin of the late King Oyo.

His installation marked the end of the reign of Oyo, who became Omukama in 1995 and died at the age of 34 after undergoing cancer treatment in the United States. The new king’s coronation included traditional rituals intended to formally transform him from a prince into the Omukama, including a mock battle at the palace entrance.

With the new appointments, Nyabongo has opted to retain key figures who were at the centre of the Kingdom’s administration and succession process under Oyo, at least during the transition.

In addition to the senior appointments, Nyabongo has appointed an 11-member Advisory Committee to provide counsel during the transition and advise him on matters concerning the Kingdom.

The committee comprises Muzei Erisa Kakyomya, Peace Mutuuzo, Bernard Tungakwo, Amooti Chris Kaijua, Kasojo Binta Rosalia Achaali, William Byaruhanga, Msgr Isaiah Mayombo, Abdullah, Flavia Kabahenda Rwabuhoro, Aston Kajara and Monica Rubombora.

The six-month extension given to Rwomiire is expected to allow the new administration time to settle in before making broader decisions on the Kingdom’s executive structure.

The retention of Kamurasi is also significant because the Omusuuga remains central to the Babiito royal institution and was the key figure in the process that brought Nyabongo to the throne.

At his coronation, Kamurasi formally handed over authority to Nyabongo, telling him that he had been holding power since Oyo’s death and was now handing it to the new king.

The new administration therefore begins with continuity at the top, even as Nyabongo starts defining his own reign after a succession process that exposed deep disagreements within the Kingdom’s leadership.

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