A tense standoff reportedly erupted between security forces and Queen Mother Best Kemigisa during the burial of her son, the late Omukama Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV, at the Karambi Royal Tombs.
According to reports, the Queen Mother opposed the burial arrangements, saying they did not reflect what she believed were the proper cultural and traditional practices of the Tooro Kingdom.
The situation reportedly escalated when Best Kemigisa was blocked from proceeding with the burial in the manner she wanted. She was then reportedly locked inside a vehicle as the king’s casket was removed and taken toward the royal tombs.
Gen. David Sejusa Tumukunde, Deputy Speaker of Parliament Thomas Tayebwa and other security officials were reportedly involved in efforts to engage the Queen Mother and persuade her to allow the burial to proceed.
However, reports indicate that Kemigisa remained opposed to the arrangements and insisted on burying her son according to Tooro cultural and traditional practices.
The confrontation added another dramatic moment to King Oyo’s final journey, which has already been overshadowed by tensions surrounding the future of the Tooro Kingdom following his death at the age of 34.
Despite the standoff, the late king’s body was eventually taken inside the royal tombs, where the burial proceeded.
The developments were reported by Daily Monitor journalists Andrew Bagala and Canary Mugume, with the situation remaining fluid as the burial unfolded.
The incident puts a striking final chapter on a funeral that has been marked not only by grief over the death of King Oyo, but also by disagreements over his burial and the kingdom’s succession.