FORT PORTAL CITY — September 4, 2026: The Tooro royal succession has taken a major step forward after elders of the Babiito royal clan selected George Desmond Kamurasi, 36, as the next King of Tooro.
Kamurasi, a cousin of the late King Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV, was chosen on Friday by the 21-member Royal Succession Committee during a crucial meeting held at Fort Motel in Fort Portal City.
Of the 21 members of the committee, 18 attended the meeting, with 15 voting in favour of Kamurasi, effectively placing him on course to take over the Tooro throne following the death of King Oyo.
The committee, chaired by Omusuuga Charles Akiiki Kamurasi, was selected by the Babiito royal clan on August 28 and has been conducting consultations over the succession of the late monarch.
The selection of Kamurasi brings the Tooro royal family’s succession plans into sharper focus following the death of King Oyo at the age of 34.
Kamurasi is the son of George Desmond “Jimmy” Mugenyi, the younger brother of the late King Patrick David Mathew Olimi Kaboyo II.
His royal lineage gives him a direct connection to the Tooro throne. According to the will of their late father, King George Rukidi III, Kamurasi was second in line to succeed his elder brother, Olimi Kaboyo II.
His selection by the Babiito elders is therefore being presented as a continuation of the established royal succession tradition within Tooro.
Following the decision, discussions were held with Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, the Chief of Defence Forces of the Uganda People’s Defence Forces and Chairman of the Patriotic League of Uganda, as well as Gen. Kayanja Muhanga.
Gen. Kainerugaba reportedly endorsed the choice of the Royal Succession Committee, saying Kamurasi’s selection is consistent with Tooro customs, previous succession precedents and the laws governing the kingdom.
The CDF also reportedly conveyed that President Yoweri Museveni supports the decision of the royal succession committee.
The President is said to have dispatched a team led by a senior Cabinet minister to Fort Portal to consult key stakeholders over the succession.
Following the consultations, the team reportedly concluded that there was wide consensus among key stakeholders in favour of Kamurasi.
Despite the decision by the royal elders, Kamurasi has not yet been formally proclaimed King of Tooro.
The final public announcement is expected to follow the customs of the Babiito royal clan.
The Omusuuga is expected to formally communicate the decision to Babiito clan leaders, with the public proclamation reportedly expected after the burial of the late King Oyo.
The decision to disclose Kamurasi’s selection before the formal announcement was intended to stop social media speculation and prevent confusion over who will inherit the Tooro throne.
For now, the succession process has produced its preferred heir: George Desmond Kamurasi, the late King Oyo’s cousin, who is now poised to become the next Omukama of Tooro.
