By Andrew Irumba Katusabe
FORT PORTAL-Tooro Crown Prince George Kamurasi Desmond has been selected to succeed the late King Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV as the next King of Tooro, following a secret meeting of senior members of the Babiito clan held Friday at Fort Motel in Fort Portal, our chief Spy can reliably report.
George Kamurasi, 36 yrs, reportedly secured 15 of the 18 votes cast at the meeting, giving him a clear majority in the process to identify a successor to the fallen monarch.
However, the selection is yet to be followed by an official public communication from Musuuga Charles Kamurasi and the Babiito leadership to the wider Babiito community and the people of Tooro. According to Tooro norms and culture, this announcement will be made by Musuuga Kamurasi after the burial of fallen King Oyo.
The meeting was attended by 18 of the 21 Babiito clan members who were assembled few days ago when the Palace officially announced King Oyo’s demise. They were chosen to participate in the process of finding a successor to King Oyo.
The list of members involved in the process included; Musuuga Charles Kamurasi, Msgr. Dr. Isaac Mayombo, Fr. Dr. Charles Oyo, Omub. Dr. Kagoro Kaijamurubi, Omub. Job Karamagi, Omub. Gilbert Mujogya, Omub. Mbogo Rukidi, Omub. Isaac Rwabwoni, Omub. Justice Mugamba Paul, Omub. David Mugamba, Hon. Harriet Nyakake, Hon. Muganzi Patrick, Omub. Kawamara Patrick, Omub. Sam Rukidi, Omub. Kato Rwakatale, Omub. Olimi Hassan, Omub. Rose Mpuro, Omub. Martha Mugamba, Omub. Martha Rabwoni and Omub. Ruth Ogeni Komuntale Akiiki.
Omusuuga Kamurasi voted virtually having missed the physical final meeting today because he was the one supposed to officially receive King Oyo’s body (Omuguta) at the Palace. The other two of the 21 members who missed and gave no reasons or apologies include Omubiito kati Rose mpuro and Omubiito kati Martha Rabwoni.
Our sources quoted Musuuga saying he was delighted to have George emerge as the next King.
Kamurasi won Edward Kiijanangoma, young brother to bedridden stage 4 throat cancer patient Prince David Kiijanangoma Araali who has been at Mulago cancer institute for months.
Edward Kiijanangoma works at UBC as a news anchor. He’s also among the first cohort who went to Rwanda as media experts and started Rwanda Government owned media corporation before he returned to Uganda’s UBC.
Who is George Kamurasi Desmond?
George Kamurasi Desmond, who lives in UK, comes from the royal Babiito lineage and is the son of late Jimmy Mugenyi and grandson of the late Sir George Rukidi.
His selection places him at the centre of a historic transition for the Kingdom of Tooro, following the death of King Oyo, who had been one of Uganda’s longest-serving traditional monarchs.
our sources last night told our spy that President Museveni sent him a free ticket and flew him back into the country and is awaiting unveiling after the burial of King Oyo. “Muzei got incensed with Queen mother’s explanations over the alleged mother of Oyo’s alleged son,” our source revealed.
King Oyo ascended the Tooro throne as a child in 1995, succeeding his father, Patrick Matthew Kaboyo Olimi III. His reign spanned more than three decades and saw the kingdom maintain its cultural institution while navigating Uganda’s modern political and social environment.
The process to identify his successor has therefore attracted considerable interest among the Babiito and the wider Tooro community.
The next step is expected to be communication from the Babiito leadership, particularly Musuuga Charles Kamurasi, formally informing the Babiito and the people of Tooro about the outcome.
If confirmed publicly, George Kamurasi Desmond will become the new face of the Tooro royal institution and inherit the responsibility of continuing the cultural legacy of the Babiito dynasty.
More details are expected as the Babiito leadership makes its official communication.
