FORT PORTAL — Omukama Edward Rukidi Nyabongo I met members of the Babiito royal family at Karuziika Palace on Thursday, October 22, 2026, amid what appears as growing tensions within Tooro Kingdom over Prime Minister Calvin Armstrong Rwomiire Akiiki’s leadership and allegations surrounding the management of Kingdom funds — claims which have persisted over the years and been reignited since the demise of Oyo.
The meeting, the first between the new Omukama and members of his royal family since his ascension to the throne, came days after clan leaders and members of the Kingdom’s Supreme Council petitioned the monarch over what they described as misconduct by Rwomiire.
The petition raises three major concerns: failure to account for Shs4.6 billion in Kingdom funds, alleged disrespect towards clan leaders and the Supreme Council, and ministerial appointments reportedly made without the council’s approval. The petitioners are calling for the King’s intervention, while public calls for Rwomiire and his new cabinet to step down have also emerged.
At Karuziika Palace, the Babiito royals urged Nyabongo to work closely with them as he begins his reign. The meeting was presided over by Omujwera Musuuga Charles Kamurasi.
The King pledged to consult the royal family and seek its advice before making decisions, signalling his willingness to maintain close ties with members of the royal household.
The gathering also marked an official milestone in his reign. State Minister for Culture Kamuli Kuteesa handed over the government gazette recognising Nyabongo I as Tooro’s cultural leader, alongside two vehicles for the monarch.
Shs4.6 billion accountability dispute
At the centre of the petition is an allegation that Rwomiire has failed to account for Shs4.6 billion in Kingdom funds.
The clan leaders also accuse him of disrespecting the Supreme Council of Tooro, known as Orukurato rw’ensanju, whose membership includes clan leaders, Masaza chiefs and other representatives.
The petitioners further contend that the Prime Minister has exercised excessive powers by appointing ministers before his confirmation by the council.
The delegation that petitioned the King included members of the Supreme Council and clan leaders and was led by Julius Byamukama from Mwenge County.
The controversy has also attracted public attention. At a Masaza Cup match days before Thursday’s meeting, some Tooro residents were photographed holding placards calling for Rwomiire to resign alongside his newly appointed cabinet.
Some reports claim that Omukama Edward Rukidi Nyabongo I even went as far as going to Tooro’s most active Whatsapp groups to post his appeal for calm.
Andrew Irumba defends the Prime Minister
Journalist Andrew Irumba, a close ally of both Nyabongo and Rwomiire, has criticised those he accuses of fuelling the dispute against the Prime Minister.
In a strongly worded statement, Irumba alleged that some individuals were financing media attacks against Rwomiire while claiming to support the Kingdom.
“I know the characters paying media popcorn money to fight Tooro PM Calvin Armstrong,” Irumba wrote.
“They pretend to love him and Tooro but they’re very colloquial in their thinking. They think if it’s not them then the establishment must collapse. I will expose you if you don’t stop.”
Irumba did not identify the individuals he accused or provide evidence for the alleged payments in the statement.
He argued that the King’s choice of leadership should be respected and that the Prime Minister should be given time to perform before being judged.
“Once the Omukama has chosen someone amongst us, all of us are supposed to fall in. A king is a King. Allow Tooro to develop as a people now. We wasted many years,” he wrote.
“I know Owek. Calvin can’t be 100% perfect, neither are you. Give our leadership the latitude to serve the people and we assess them after some time as guided by HRM.”
Irumba also rejected what he described as unnecessary internal fighting, distinguishing the current dispute from earlier struggles in which he had participated.
“Stop useless fights. The fight we were engaged in for years was legitimate. It ended. These are headless fights and I will never take part,” he wrote.
A test for the new reign
The petition places Nyabongo at the centre of a growing dispute over Rwomiire’s conduct, with clan leaders demanding action and Irumba urging patience and unity.
The King’s pledge to consult the Babiito royals offers an early indication of his approach to engagement with the royal family. Whether that spirit of consultation will extend to resolving the complaints against the Prime Minister remains to be seen.
The immediate questions are whether the allegations against Rwomiire will be formally examined, whether he will respond to the claims and how the King will address the petition.
For now, the dispute continues to test relationships within Tooro Kingdom as Nyabongo begins his reign, with accountability, ministerial appointments and the authority of the Supreme Council emerging as the central issues.
It should be remembered that Omukama Edward Rukidi Nyabongo I is ruling through a transitional council that includes Rwomiire, who used his powers to appoint a cabinet of 30 ministers and deputy ministers, as detailed Here, There and Over There.
