FORT PORTAL — George Desmond Kamurasi, a 36-year-old member of the Tooro royal family, has emerged as the man reportedly selected to succeed the late Omukama Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV.
His name was announced by journalist and businessman Andrew Mwenda following a meeting of the Royal Succession Committee at Fort Motel in Fort Portal City on Friday, September 4.
According to Mwenda, 15 of the 18 committee members who attended the meeting voted for Kamurasi.
But beyond the vote, Kamurasi’s identity and royal lineage offer an important glimpse into the family from which Tooro’s next king could emerge.
Who is George Desmond Kamurasi?
Kamurasi is the son of George Desmond “Jimmy” Mugenyi, whom Mwenda identifies as the younger brother of Patrick David Mathew Olimi Kaboyo II.
That makes Kamurasi a cousin of the late King Oyo.
Mwenda also says Kamurasi’s father had a significant place in the royal line.
“He was the second in line of succession to his brother Olimi Kaboyo II, according to the will of their late father, His Majesty King George Rukidi III,” Mwenda said.
The reference to King George Rukidi III places Kamurasi within a direct branch of Tooro’s royal lineage.
He is 36 years old
Kamurasi is 36, making him considerably older than Oyo was when he ascended the throne.
Oyo became Omukama in 1995 at just three years old following the death of his father, Patrick Matthew Kaboyo Olimi III.
Kamurasi, by contrast, would take on the role as a fully grown adult with decades of life experience.
How his name emerged
Mwenda said the 21-member Royal Succession Committee, selected by the Ababiito royal clan on August 28, had been holding consultations before settling on Kamurasi.
At Friday’s meeting, 18 members were present and 15 voted for him.
Mwenda said the committee had reached its decision after consultations with key stakeholders.
“After extensive consultations with all the key stakeholders, the committee was convinced that there is a wide consensus around the succession of Kamurasi,” he said.
Muhoozi and Museveni factor
Mwenda also linked the decision to the country’s top political leadership.
He said he discussed the development with Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba, the Chief of Defence Forces, and Gen Kayanja Muhanga.
According to Mwenda, Muhoozi endorsed the committee’s choice.
“Gen Keinerugaba fully endorses the choice of the Succession Committee of Tooro because it is consistent with the customs, all precedents and laws of Tooro on succession,” Mwenda quoted him as saying.
Mwenda further said Muhoozi told him that President Yoweri Museveni supports the committee’s decision.
“The CDF has said that President Yoweri Museveni supports the decision of the Royal Committee on Succession,” Mwenda said.
He added that Museveni had sent a team led by a senior Cabinet minister to Fort Portal.
A successor still awaiting formal proclamation
Despite the selection, Kamurasi’s reported emergence does not yet amount to a public enthronement.
Mwenda said the formal announcement to Babiito clan leaders was still expected.
“I have spoken to Omusuuga who has told me that according to custom, the public announcement is done after the burial,” he said.
Oyo’s burial is scheduled to take place in Tooro on September 12, 2026, meaning the formal public declaration could come after the funeral rites.
For now, George Desmond Kamurasi stands at the centre of Tooro’s royal transition — a 36-year-old prince whose family lineage, according to Mwenda, places him firmly within the dynasty from which the kingdom’s next Omukama may come.
You can read our earlier stories on the selection of George Desmond Kamurasi as new Tooro king Here and There.
Also read about the wealth that new king Desmond Kamurasi will inherit from Omukama Oyo, as well as the history and Kings of Tooro since 1830 Here and There.
