Tooro Queen Mother Best Kemigisa has claimed that her family is effectively under house arrest at the royal palace in Fort Portal following the death of her son, King Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV.
In a statement, Kemigisa said security personnel had been deployed around the palace and that members of the family could neither leave nor freely receive visitors.
“We are under house arrest,” she said, appealing to Gen. Kayandja Muhanga, the UPDF leadership and President Yoweri Museveni to allow the family the freedom and dignity to mourn and bury King Oyo in peace.
Her statement comes amid a dispute over the succession to the Tooro throne. Kemigisa said King Oyo’s Will had clearly set out the order of succession and that a meeting had been scheduled with government representatives to discuss the matter.
She also criticised those who announced a new King while, according to her, her son’s body was still lying at the palace.
“I also appeal to those fighting over the throne: please, there will be time for all of that. Let us grieve and bury my son King Oyo,” she said.
Kemigisa described Oyo as a good son and King who served Tooro for 31 years and appealed for his burial to be conducted with dignity and respect.
