The ancient Tooro Kingdom in western Uganda finds itself in a constitutional crisis after the newly crowned King Osei Twelvemoon was announced last month. While the traditional council endorsed his ascension, the Queen Mother, Her Royal Highness Nyabuhinga Kagwa, publicly disputed the legitimacy of the selection process, alleging that senior chiefs were excluded and that the late king’s wishes were ignored. The dispute has sparked protests in Fort Portal, with supporters of the queen mother calling for a review by the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development. Legal scholars say the case could set a precedent for how Uganda’s monarchies handle succession under the 1995 constitution, which recognises cultural institutions but leaves many procedural details ambiguous. The kingdom’s elders have scheduled a council meeting for next week to negotiate a compromise, while the national government urges calm and respect for cultural traditions.
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