The Babiito Royal Clan has dismissed objections raised by Princess Ruth Komuntale and Princess Elizabeth Bagaya over the selection of Prince Edward Rukidi Kijanangoma as the next King of Tooro, urging the princesses to challenge the decision in court.
The ruling clan maintained that it has the right to elect the Omukama and said it would proceed with the succession activities despite the objections from members of the royal family.
Moses Musinguzi, spokesperson for the Babiito Royal Clan, defended the process used to select Prince Edward, saying those involved were also members of the royal family.
He also defended the role of Omusuuga Charles Kamurasi, the head of the Babiito clan, in the succession process.
“Those I have seen talking are the two Babiitokati (princesses). Let them go to court; for us we are continuing with our functions. We shall find them in court and the court will tell us whether we are wrong or they are wrong,” Musinguzi said.
His remarks followed a public rejection of Prince Edward’s selection by Princess Komuntale, the sister of the late King Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV, and Princess Elizabeth Bagaya, the late king’s paternal aunt.
On Wednesday night, Komuntale said the announcement of a new king was inaccurate, arguing that her late brother had left a will naming his son as the heir to the Tooro throne.
The princesses also said the wider royal family had not been consulted before the announcement and accused the Babiito clan of proceeding with the selection before discussions surrounding the late king’s will had been concluded.
However, Musinguzi insisted that the succession process was legitimate and said the Babiito clan was prepared to defend its decision through the appropriate legal and institutional channels.
He further argued that competition over royal leadership is not new, saying historical succession disputes were often settled through physical conflict, while modern disputes can be handled through legal and other institutional means.
“By the way, Kingship is to be fought for. Titles are to be fought for. Even our ancestors used to fight for the throne. Nowadays we no longer use spears and guns; we use computers and pens and we are ready to do that until we see the Batooro having the king they feel will make the Kingdom of Tooro progress with flying colours,” he said.
The dispute has added a new layer to the succession process following the death of King Oyo, with competing positions now emerging over who has the authority to determine the next ruler and whether the late king’s will should guide the succession.
The Babiito clan, however, maintains that its selection of Prince Edward Kijanangoma stands and that any challenge should be resolved through the courts.