FORT PORTAL — President Yoweri Museveni and Chief of Defence Forces Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba have backed the selection of George Desmond Kamurasi, 36, as the next Omukama of Tooro, according to journalist and Tooro royal family insider Andrew Mwenda.
Kamurasi was selected on Friday, September 4, by the 21-member Royal Succession Committee during a meeting at Fort Motel in Fort Portal City.
He is set to succeed his late cousin, King Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV, who died on August 26, 2026, in Texas, United States.
“The Royal Succession Committee of Tooro Kingdom met today September 4, 2026 at Fort Motel in Fort Portal City and selected George Desmond Kamurasi (36) as the next king of Tooro,” Mwenda said.
“He succeeds his late cousin, Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV who died on August 26, 2026 in Texas USA.”
15 vote for Kamurasi
The committee was constituted by the Royal Clan of Tooro, the Ababiito, on August 28 and is chaired by Omusuuga Charles Akiiki Kamurasi.
Mwenda said the committee has 21 members and had been meeting daily as it considered the succession question.
“Composed of 21 members, it has been meeting every day since Monday September 31,” he said.
At Friday’s meeting, 18 members attended, with 15 voting for Kamurasi.
“Today they met from 11am to 3pm. Out of 21 members, 18 attended today’s meeting out of whom 15 voted for George Kamurasi,” Mwenda said.
The decision places Kamurasi at the centre of the process to replace Oyo, who had occupied the Tooro throne since 1995 after succeeding his father, King Patrick Matthew Kaboyo Olimi III.
Kamurasi’s royal lineage
Mwenda said Kamurasi is the son of George Desmond “Jimmy” Mugenyi, the younger brother of former Tooro king Patrick David Matthew Olimi Kaboyo II.
“George Kamurasi is the son of George Desmond [Jimmy] Mugenyi, young brother to Patrick David Mathew Olimi Kaboyo II,” he said.
Mwenda further linked Kamurasi’s succession claim to the will of his grandfather, the late King George Rukidi III.
“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.
Muhoozi fully endorses choice
Mwenda said he held discussions with Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba, who is CDF and chairman of the Patriotic League of Uganda, as well as Gen Kayanja Muhanga, and briefed them on the committee’s decision.
“This evening I have held discussions with the CDF of UDPF who is also chairman of PLU, Gen Muhoozi Keinerugaba, and the CLF, Gen Kayanja Muhanga, and informed both of these developments,” Mwenda said.
According to Mwenda, Muhoozi endorsed the committee’s decision.
“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,” he said.
Mwenda also said Muhoozi conveyed Museveni’s support for the succession decision.
“The CDF has said that President Yoweri Museveni supports the decision of the Royal Committee on Succession,” Mwenda said.
According to Mwenda, Museveni also sent a government delegation to Fort Portal to engage stakeholders over the succession.
“He sent a team led by a senior cabinet minister to Fort Portal,” Mwenda said.
“After extensive consultations with all the key stakeholders, the committee was convinced that there is a wide consensus around the succession of Kamurasi.”
Formal announcement awaits burial
Although Kamurasi has been selected by the succession committee, the decision has not yet been formally announced to the wider Babiito clan or publicly proclaimed.
Mwenda said the Omusuuga is expected to communicate the decision to Babiito clan leaders.
“We now await the Omusuuga to make a formal announcement officially to the Babiito clan leaders,” he said.
However, according to Mwenda, Tooro custom dictates that the public announcement comes after the burial of the late King Oyo.
“I have spoken to Omusuuga who has told me that according to custom, the public announcement is done after the burial,” he said.
The succession decision comes as Tooro prepares to bury Oyo, whose death brought the kingdom into a fresh succession process barely three decades after he ascended the throne as a child.
Mwenda said he chose to disclose the committee’s decision before the customary public announcement because of concerns over speculation.
“I have made this announcement to avoid social media speculation that may cause unnecessary confusion,” he said.
The committee’s selection, coupled with the reported backing of Museveni and Muhoozi, now places Kamurasi as the designated successor to the late Omukama, although the remaining customary procedures must still be completed.
You can read about the money and assets that Omukama Oyo left behind, as well as about the Kings that have ruled Tooro since 1800 Here and There.
