The historic Tooro Kingdom in western Uganda finds itself in a constitutional crisis after the late King Oyo Nyimba’s heir, Prince Rukidi IV, was crowned last month. The Queen Mother, Princess Kezia, has publicly disputed the legitimacy of the coronation, alleging that the selection process was rushed and lacked the traditional consultation of the kingdom’s council of elders. In a televised address, the Queen Mother called for a national dialogue and a review of the kingdom’s succession laws, warning that ignoring the customs could erode the cultural fabric of Tooro. Government officials have offered to mediate, while opposition parties see the dispute as an opportunity to push for broader reforms of Uganda’s monarchic institutions. The kingdom’s chief priest, Reverend Kintu, has urged calm, emphasizing that the kingdom’s stability is paramount for the welfare of its 1.2 million subjects.
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