More Babiito clan members denounce King Oyo

Prince Christopher Karamagi (R) and Mr Dan Rubombora, a member of the Babiito clan, hand over their petition to Mr Stephen Nyamutale, the chairperson executive committee clans council, at Kenneth Inn in Fort Portal last weekend. PHOTO BY RUTH KATUSABE

Kabarole. The impasse between King Oyo and his opponents over the leadership of the Tooro Kingdom throne is not about to end.
A section of the Babiito royal clan members led by Prince Switzer Kaijamurubi Araali is the latest to denounce King Oyo Nyimba and are now paying allegiance to his cousin Prince David Kijanangoma as their cultural leader.
Mr Dan Robombora and Mr Christopher Karamagi presented a petition signed by more than 200 clan members to Mr Stephen Nyamutale, the chairperson executive committee clans council, denouncing King Oyo as their king in Fort Portal last weekend.

“We have resolved that King Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru ceases to be recognised as our king and have shifted our allegiance to Prince David Kiijanangoma as our cultural leader. We support a vote of no confidence against King Oyo as proclaimed by Prince David,” the petition reads in part.
The petition also states that there has been a trend of erosion and destruction of their cultural values in the last 20 years of King Oyo’s reign.
They cite the usurping of power and authority of the kingdom, regents, parliament, and the sale of kingdom assets by Queen Mother Best Kemigisa.

“We, therefore establish a palace at Rwengoma, West Division Fort Portal Municipality, with consent and blessing of Prince William Kagoro, son of late Omusuga Kesi Kagoro Bahindi Musuga and brother of late King Sir George Rukiidi, and his family, under a vision that envisages a kingdom with unity,” the petition adds.
Mr Nyamutale promised to consult the elders and central government before responding to the petition in order to maintain peace in the kingdom.

Kingdom’s take
The kingdom spokesperson, Mr Benjamin Gusalire, on Monday said: “There is a lot of inconsistencies in this petition, the Babiito have no mandate to call an official Babiito meeting apart from Omusuuga (Charles Kamurasi) whether they contest his position or not.” He said the land was not sold but leased, adding that the speaker of parliament is mandated to convene the supreme council where clan members can deliberate on kingdom issues and not the head of the clan council.