By Spy Uganda Investigations Desk
Fort Portal: Fresh claims have emerged from Karuzika Palace that Musuuga Charles Kamurasi, the head of the royal Biito Clan, who reportedly maintained that the late Omukama Oyo did not leave behind a son, is under pressure to make a U turn!
A source at Karuzika has told TheSpy that Gen. Henry Tumukunde, Minister for Gender, Labour and Social Development, is currently holding a private meeting with Musuuga Kamurasi at Karuzika Palace amid growing tensions over the identity of the person being presented as a possible heir to the late Omukama Oyo.
“We’re reliably informed that Musuuga Charles Kamurasi is under pressure to change his position. Musuuga informed Tooro that King Oyo did not leave a son. Now plans are in high gear to make him change that position. We all know too well it’s the Babiito committee of 21 people which has the final decision, but as we talk, Gen Tumukunde is in a secret meeting with Musuuga,” the source said.
The meeting, according to our source, is being attended only by Musuuga and Gen. Tumukunde and is taking place at Karuzika Palace, atleast by the time we went to press.
Tumukunde reportedly arrived in Tooro yesterday under the command of president Museveni, and his presence has since generated speculation within palace circles about efforts allegedly being made to persuade Musuuga to move away from his earlier position regarding whether Omukama Oyo left a son.
Nine Coffee Beans Ritual
TheSpy has also received claims that another proposal being discussed involves Musuuga personally undertaking a traditional ritual on behalf of the child whose claim to Omukama Oyo’s lineage is being contested as to save him from death and then bring him as heir to the throne, after Kamurasi Desmond David rejected it, apparently on the advice of his wife and her family in the UK.
According to sources, there are alleged plans for Musuuga to be the person who drops the nine coffee beans into Omukama Oyo’s grave as part of the traditional process reportedly intended to establish whether the claimant is genuinely connected to the deceased king. Remember it’s done secretly with a few key clan members present. It’s not a public affair, source added.
Sources claim that because Musuuga is the person who leads such traditional rituals, he would not be affected by the consequences traditionally associated with the exercise.
The sources further allege that Shs100 million is being dangled around in connection with the ritual.
“Money has started making rounds here since Tumukunde arrived and we see Musuuga now avoiding some of us who have been with him since day one,” another source alleged.
However, TheSpy could not independently verify the claim that Shs100 million has been offered to Musuuga.
Musuuga’s Close Connection With Queen Mother Family Revealed
Musuuga’s longstanding close relationship with Queen mother Best Kemigisa is also being discussed as key element in now trying to change gear.
They claim that Musuuga’s wife is a biological younger sister of Queen Mother Best Kemigisa and that it was the Queen Mother who brought the two together.
The sources further claim that Musuuga’s children grew up within the palace environment alongside Omukama Oyo. That bondage is very significant, according to source.
“We suspect there’s something they’re cooking to ensure Batuku remain in the palace. Remember Musuuga’s wife is a biological young sister to Queen Mother Best Kemigisa and it’s the Queen Mother who brought her to Musuuga. Even his children grew up in the palace with Oyo,” added source.
The source alleged that these connections could be weakening Musuuga’s earlier position.
“He’s being neutralized and us who would stand with him, he’s avoiding us,” the source added.
This has also delayed the 21 member committee that was supposed to sit today at 11am. But because Musuuga is missing, they have had to wait for him to finish with Gen. Tumukunde. “Remember Musuuga is the head, he’s supposed to chair the meeting,” said the source.
The controversy comes at a critical moment in the process of determining Tooro’s next king.
The 21-member Babiito committee, comprising members of the Babiito clan, remains central to the process and is expected to make the final decision on who should ascend the Tooro throne.
The question of whether Omukama Oyo left behind a biological son has become one of the most contentious issues surrounding the succession process.
The latest allegations of pressure on Musuuga, the alleged Shs100 million offer and plans for the nine-coffee-bean ritual are likely to further intensify the dispute.
For now, the alleged private meeting between Gen. Henry Tumukunde and Musuuga at Karuzika Palace is being closely watched by members of the Tooro royal establishment and the wider Babiito community.
The allegations concerning the meeting, the alleged payment and the proposed ritual remain claims from sources and have not independently been verified by TheSpy.
