Tooro Kingdom succession crisis after TV presenter Rukirabasaija Oyo’s will names son as heir, sparking royal family rift

Background: The Tooro Kingdom’s place in modern Uganda

The Tooro Kingdom, one of Uganda’s nine traditional monarchies, sits in the western region of the country and enjoys constitutional recognition since the 1995 Ugandan constitution restored cultural institutions after a 20‑year ban. While the king, or "Omukama," has no formal political power, the throne wields considerable moral authority, especially among the Banyoro and Tooro peoples, and it influences local development projects, land disputes, and cultural tourism.

In recent years the kingdom has tried to modernise its image, partnering with NGOs on education initiatives and using social media to reach younger audiences. This shift has opened the institution to new kinds of public figures, including media personalities, who can bridge the gap between tradition and the digital age.

The will and the surprising successor

King Oyo, who ascended the throne in 1995, died earlier this month at the age of 69. According to a copy of his last will released by the palace’s legal team, he named his 12‑year‑old son, Prince Rukirabasaija Oyo, as the next Omukama. What raised eyebrows was the inclusion of a clause that grants the prince a "guardian council" headed by the late king’s former chief media adviser, a popular television news presenter known as Grace Nanyanzi, who is also the king’s former daughter‑in‑law.

Grace Nanyanzi, a household name in Ugandan broadcast journalism, rose to fame presenting the nightly news on NTV Uganda for more than a decade. Her marriage to the king’s elder son ended in divorce five years ago, but she retained close ties to the royal family and has been a vocal advocate for youth empowerment in the region.

Family rift erupts over the succession plan

Within days of the will’s public release, senior members of the Tooro royal family issued a joint statement disputing its validity, claiming the document was forged and that the king’s last public speech indicated a different successor – his older brother, Prince Bulelwa. Sources close to the palace say the dispute centres on the unprecedented involvement of a media figure in a guardianship role, which many elders view as a breach of protocol.

The rift has manifested in physical blockades at the royal palace in Fort Portal, with rival factions setting up parallel councils. Some clan chiefs have called for a traditional council (the "Kisimba") to adjudicate the matter, while others demand a court injunction to halt the appointment of Grace Nanyanzi as guardian until the will is verified by an independent forensic team.

Why it matters for Uganda and the wider region

Beyond a family drama, the succession crisis threatens to destabilise a region that relies on the Tooro Kingdom’s patronage for infrastructure projects, such as the new road linking Fort Portal to the Rwenzori Mountains. Investors have warned that prolonged uncertainty could delay foreign direct investment in tourism and agriculture, sectors that contribute roughly 12% of Uganda’s GDP.

The episode also shines a light on the tension between traditional authority and modern media influence across Africa. Similar disputes have unfolded in Ghana’s Asante kingdom and Nigeria’s Benin monarchy, where journalists and entertainers increasingly become power brokers. The Tooro case may set a precedent for how constitutional monarchies negotiate the role of non‑royal public figures in succession planning.

Reactions from the diaspora and civil society

Ugandan diaspora groups in the UK and Canada have taken to social media, with many expressing concern that the rift could be exploited by political actors seeking to undermine the monarchy’s neutral stance. A diaspora forum organized by the Ugandan Association of Britain warned that “political parties must not weaponise this dispute for electoral gain,” echoing a sentiment echoed by opposition leader Bobi Wine in a televised interview.

Local NGOs focused on youth leadership have welcomed Grace Nanyanzi’s potential guardianship, arguing that a media‑savvy mentor could modernise the kingdom’s outreach to a generation that consumes news on smartphones rather than at weekly royal gatherings. However, traditionalists counter that the move could erode centuries‑old customs that bind the community together.

What’s next? Legal battles, council meetings and possible compromise

The Ugandan High Court is slated to hear a petition filed by the king’s elder brother on September 25, seeking an injunction that would temporarily suspend the appointment of any guardian until the will’s authenticity is proven. Legal experts predict a drawn‑out process, noting that the court will have to balance constitutional provisions protecting cultural institutions with the need for transparent succession.

Meanwhile, senior chiefs have scheduled an emergency Kisimba meeting for early October, where they will discuss whether to endorse the prince’s claim, renegotiate the guardian council, or invoke the kingdom’s traditional “selection by consensus” rule. Observers hope that a compromise—perhaps appointing a council of elders alongside Nanyanzi—could preserve both the kingdom’s heritage and its push for modern relevance.

Quick Answers

Who is the TV presenter named as guardian in the Tooro king’s will?
Grace Nanyanzi, a veteran news anchor on NTV Uganda, is named as the head of the guardian council for the heir.

Which child does King Oyo’s will name as his successor?
The will designates his 12‑year‑old son, Prince Rukirabasaija Oyo, as the next Omukama of Tooro.

How could the succession dispute affect Uganda’s economy?
Uncertainty may delay infrastructure projects and foreign investment in tourism and agriculture, sectors that together account for about 12% of Uganda’s GDP.

Source: www.bbc.co.uk