Queen Mother Best Kemigisa Accuses Gen Kayanja Muhangi of Withdrawing Royal Guards and Placing Her and Other Royals Under House Arrest

TOORO KINGDOM — September 10, 2026: Queen Mother Best Kemigisa has accused UPDF commander Gen Kayanja Muhangi of withdrawing royal guards from the Tooro Palace and deploying troops around the royal residence, saying the security operation has left her and other members of the royal family effectively under house arrest.

Kemigisa made the accusations in a statement issued as the royal family prepares to bury her only son, the late Omukama Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV.

She said the security deployment came only three days before Oyo’s burial, at a time when the family was still mourning and dealing with a succession dispute that has followed the King’s death.

“Now, three days to my son’s burial, Gen. Kayanja Muhanga came to the Palace and removed the royal guards without notice, and troops were deployed around the Palace,” Kemigisa said.

“They took the Musuuga away to a location we were not told.”

According to the Queen Mother, the security operation has severely restricted the royal family’s movements and ability to receive mourners.

“And now, with the security deployment around the Palace, we cannot leave or receive people freely. We are under house arrest,” she said.

Kemigisa appealed directly to Gen Muhangi, the UPDF leadership and President Yoweri Museveni to intervene and allow the family to mourn without further disruption.

“I appeal to Gen. Kayanja Muhanga, UPDF leadership, and the president to allow our family the freedom and dignity to mourn and bury King Oyo in peace,” she said.

The Queen Mother also linked the latest developments to the bitter dispute over who should succeed Oyo, saying the royal family had agreed to further discussions after the late King’s will was read.

“At 4pm, Oyo’s Will was read before representatives of the Royal Family and Government, including the Musuuga, Princess Komuntale, Princess Margaret Komubaizi (Muka Joy), Father Oyo, Monsignor Father Mayombo, Maj Gen. Henry Tumukunde, the Minister of Gender, Labor and Social Development representing the President,” she said.

“The Will clearly set out the order of succession to the Tooro throne.”

Kemigisa said the parties agreed to reconvene the following day under Tumukunde’s chairmanship to continue discussions.

“We agreed to meet the following day, again under Gen. Tumukunde’s chairmanship,” she said.

However, she said the agreement was followed by a fresh announcement from members of the Babiito clan who declared their own choice for the throne.

“But that same evening, while my son’s body was still lying next to us, these select clan members held a press conference and declared their own King in disregard of the Will and the agreement with the minister,” Kemigisa said.

She expressed particular anguish over the timing of the announcement, saying the family had not even been given time to mourn.

“They could have done this anywhere else. Instead, they chose to jubilate while my son was still lying in his casket next to them,” she said.

“That is what has hurt us most. My daughter is devastated. Our family is grieving.”

Kemigisa’s statement also revisited the succession crisis that followed the death of her husband, Omukama Patrick, more than three decades ago.

“I was 26 when my husband died. I was in the UK treating my young daughter Cecilia. Oyo was only 2 years old,” she said.

“I came home to bury my husband, Omukama Patrick, and grieve, but instead we immediately had to fight for my son’s right to be King.”

She said some members of the Babiito clan had opposed Oyo’s succession because of his age.

“The same Babiito clan members said he was too young at 3 years old to be king and that his father, Omukama Patrick, had left no will naming him successor, so his uncle should take the throne according to the will of Omukama Rukiidi,” Kemigisa said.

“We went to court, and my King Oyo prevailed.”

The Queen Mother said the family subsequently suffered another devastating loss when her daughter Cecilia died of leukemia.

“A couple of years later, I lost my daughter to leukemia,” she said.

“None of these clan leaders you saw today came to see us or helped us bury her.”

Kemigisa said Oyo nevertheless went on to serve the kingdom for 31 years, building relationships both within Uganda and internationally.

“By the grace of God, my son went on to serve Tooro for 31 years,” she said.

“He made friends across Uganda and around the world. The people loved him and stood with him; the President supported him, and together they built Tooro Kingdom into what it is today.”

She said the death of Oyo on August 27 had therefore been particularly painful for the family.

“On 27th August, I lost my only son, King Oyo, to cancer,” she said.

Kemigisa also acknowledged government assistance in preparations for the late King’s burial, particularly efforts to ensure that Oyo was returned and laid to rest with the dignity befitting a reigning monarch.

“H.E the President did everything he could to bring him home to Tooro with the dignity he deserved. We thank him,” she said.

“The UPDF engineering brigade started building the royal grave and roads leading to the royal tombs. We thank the CDF.”

But she said the succession controversy erupted before the family had reached Fort Portal.

“But before we could even reach Fort Portal, we had reached Kyenjojo, Andrew Mwenda announced that a self-appointed group of clan members had chosen another King,” she said.

“Not one of them had called me to say sorry for the loss of my son or ask about his will or plans King Oyo had left.”

With Oyo’s burial approaching, Kemigisa appealed for the succession dispute to be put aside temporarily.

“I also appeal to those fighting over the throne: please, there will be time for all of that,” she said.

“Let us grieve and bury my son King Oyo.”

She ended by paying tribute to Oyo as both her son and the monarch who had devoted his life to Tooro.

“He was a good son. He was a good King. He loved Tooro and served his people for 31 years,” she said.

“Most importantly, he served God. He has gone to be with the Lord.”

“Please allow us to send him home with the dignity and respect he deserves.”

Meanwhile, Princess Komuntale has used strong words to oppose the selection of Edward Kijanangoma as the new Omukama, calling it stupid drama by evil vultures, as reported Here and There.

You can read about the troubles of Queen Mother Best Kemigisa and Royal Princess Bagaya Here and There.