Author: Wamala

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…

The late Omukama Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV has been laid to rest at the Tooro Royal Tombs, bringing an end to a tense standoff that had overshadowed the final stage of his funeral. Reports indicate the burial proceeded after intervention from President Yoweri Museveni through Deputy Speaker of Parliament Thomas Tayebwa and Minister Gen. Tumukunde, who are said to have engaged the royal family amid the impasse. The burial took place under heavy security, with UPDF soldiers deployed around the royal burial grounds as preparations for the final rites continued. The proceedings took another dramatic turn with reports…

Archbishop Stephen Kaziimba Mugalu has urged mourners to support Arsenal as a way of keeping the legacy of the late King Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV alive. Kaziimba made the lighthearted appeal while speaking to mourners at St. John’s Cathedral in Kabarole, the same church where King Oyo was baptized in 1992. According to the Archbishop, King Oyo supported local football teams but had a particular love for the London-based Premier League club. “King Oyo supported local teams but above all, he supported Arsenal. So if you want to follow his legacy, support Arsenal, all of you,” Kaziimba said.…

Prince Solomon Nyaika and Prince Patrick Mpuuga have publicly challenged the process used to select a new Omukama of Tooro, while accusing individuals involved in the succession dispute of allegedly “hijacking” their father, Omusuuga Charles Karumasi. The princes say the wishes of the late Omukama Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV should take precedence in determining the kingdom’s next steps, particularly because they claim the late king left a Will outlining his wishes. Speaking to the press, Prince Nyaika questioned the idea of using a voting process to determine the Tooro king. “Now King Oyo has a son and has…

Prince Edward Rukidi Kijanangoma was selected as the new Omukama of Tooro following a lengthy succession process involving nomination, selection and detailed vetting by a 21-member committee appointed by the Babiito royal clan. The process followed the death of Omukama Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV, with the committee tasked with identifying a suitable successor from the Tooro royal family. Fr Charles Oyo, a member of both the Babiito royal clan and the succession committee, told Daily Monitor that the process was not decided through voting. Instead, the 21 members first developed criteria for assessing potential candidates across different generations…

Joshua Baraka is taking his B’rakaland EA journey to Eastern Uganda this weekend, with the singer set to bring his music and “Keep Walking” story to fans in Mbale. Baraka will perform at Bandali Lounge, Mbale, as his tour continues following stops in Gulu and Arua. The tour, running under the Johnnie Walker Keep Walking campaign, celebrates Baraka’s growth as an artiste and the journey behind his increasingly prominent music career. For the singer, the campaign mirrors a simple philosophy: keep moving forward. After performing for audiences in Gulu and Arua, Baraka’s next stop gives fans in Eastern Uganda an…

Ugandan recording artist Danra UG is celebrating a major international milestone after securing two nominations at the Zikomo Awards 2026 in Zambia. The recognition comes just days after the singer released her latest Extended Play project, UnTamed, giving the new project an early boost on the regional awards circuit. Danra has been nominated for Best New Artist of the Year and Best Album of the Year, with the latter nomination recognizing her UnTamed EP. The singer has now turned to her fans and fellow music lovers for support as she bids to take home both awards. “We have been nominated…

Nigerian singer Fave has called out the Ugandan promoter behind her recent booking, accusing them of undervaluing her and treating her poorly during her trip to the country. The singer aired her frustrations on X while responding to a Ugandan user who commented on photos she had shared alongside a Ugandan flag. The user recognized Fave’s outfit from her recent performance at Thrones and appeared to criticize the singer’s demeanor at the event. “This is the night you performed for us at Thrones as if we had forced you (I recognize that outfit),” the user wrote. Fave responded by revealing…

The debate over who should succeed the late King Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV has taken another turn, with Rev. Fr. Charles Oyo Amooti of the Babiito Royal Clan explaining what he says would be required for any of the late monarch’s children to be considered for the Tooro throne. Speaking to the media, Fr. Amooti said the Babiito clan does not determine matters concerning the royal family based on information circulating publicly. “We have heard some people talk about there is a child or the children of King Oyo, but we as members of the clan, we don’t…

Uganda has lost several of its most recognizable personalities before they reached the age of 40, with their music, public service, business careers and royal legacies continuing to be remembered years after their deaths. From legendary Kadongo Kamu musicians to political figures and royalty, these are 10 famous Ugandans who died before turning 40. 1. Herman Basudde (1958–1997) Legendary musician Herman Basudde died on June 11, 1997, at the age of 38. Basudde was one of Uganda’s celebrated musicians, and his career came to an abrupt end when he died in a fatal car crash. His death remains one of…

Andrew Mwenda has responded to Queen Mother Best Kemigisa Olimi’s criticism of the Tooro succession process, offering his account of how a new king was selected following the death of King Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV. Kemigisa had accused Mwenda of announcing a new king selected by what she described as a self-appointed group, while insisting that the late king’s Will should be respected. Mwenda disputes that characterization. According to the Ugandan journalist and media entrepreneur, an official meeting attended by more than 100 princes and princesses was held after King Oyo’s death, resulting in the selection of a…

Queen Best Kemigisa Olimi, the mother of late Tooro King Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV, says royal guards at the palace in Fort Portal were removed and replaced by Uganda People’s Defence Forces troops just days before her son’s burial. In a statement shared on X, Queen Kemigisa alleged that Gen. Kayanja Muhanga came to the palace three days before the burial and removed the royal guards without notice before troops were deployed around the premises. “Now, three days to my son’s burial, Gen. Kayanja Muhanga came to the Palace and removed the royal guards without notice, and troops…

Tooro Kingdom Prime Minister Calvin Armstrong Rwomiire is calling for calm as the dispute over who should succeed the late Omukama Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV continues to unfold. In a statement released Thursday, Rwomiire urged the competing sides to “lower the temperature” and allow the succession question to be handled through the appropriate cultural, legal and institutional channels. The Prime Minister acknowledged that there will be an opportunity to examine the Will reportedly left by the late king, hear those advancing different positions and consider the customs and laws governing succession. “There will be time to examine the…

Big Eye StarBoss has thrown his support behind Prince Edward Rukidi Kijanangoma as the next King of Tooro, arguing that the Kingdom needs a mature monarch who can take on the responsibilities of the throne immediately. In a Facebook post, the musician said he personally does not support the idea of Tooro once again having a young king, pointing to the challenges of waiting for a monarch to grow into the role. “They can choose whoever they want to be the King of Tooro, but personally, I do not agree with once again having a ‘baby as King’,” Big Eye…

Ugandan dancehall singer Vyper Ranking is ready to see what Kid Fox can really bring to the microphone following the veteran artist’s return to Uganda. Vyper Ranking, real name Sadam Ayire, says he welcomes Kid Fox’s competitive approach but believes the dancehall legend should be put to the test to showcase his current creativity and lyrical ability. That challenge, however, isn’t meant to erase Kid Fox’s place in Uganda’s dancehall history. Vyper Ranking acknowledges the respect Kid Fox has commanded among local dancehall artists over the years. But he believes some of that respect has taken a hit following Kid…

Dax Vibez is clearing the air over his absence from Vinka’s maiden concert, insisting there is no friction between the two artists despite missing their highly anticipated performance. The Vibrationz Ent. singer was expected to perform his duet with Vinka at her August 21 concert at Lugogo Cricket Oval after rehearsing for the appearance and even attending the soundcheck the night before. But when showtime arrived, Dax was nowhere to be seen. His absence quickly fueled speculation, including claims that he may have avoided the performance because of Vinka’s political affiliation with the ruling NRM. Dax, however, says that wasn’t…

Rising Ugandan artist Sqoop Larma is already dreaming big for 2027, with the “Temutuloga” hitmaker setting his sights on a maiden concert — and potentially one of Uganda’s biggest entertainment venues. Sqoop Larma says he wants to hold his first concert next year and is calling on promoters willing to take on the project and help turn the ambition into reality. While he isn’t insisting on a specific venue, the singer revealed that he has personally dreamed of filling Lugogo Cricket Oval. “I want to hold my maiden concert next year. If any promoter is willing to jump on this,…

The succession battle in Tooro Kingdom has taken a dramatic turn, with Queen Mother Best Kemigisa and Tooro Kingdom authorities reportedly opposing the naming of Prince Edward Kijanangoma Rukidi as the successor to the late Omukama Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV. The development has thrown the question of who will occupy the Tooro throne back into uncertainty, just days before King Oyo is due to be buried. At the center of the dispute is reportedly a 2022 Will attributed to the late Omukama, which sets out a specific order of succession. According to the Will, King Oyo’s son was…

Prince Edward Kijanangoma Rukidi has reportedly been named the new Omukama of Tooro Kingdom, bringing an end to weeks of uncertainty over who would succeed the late King Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV. Prince Edward is set to take over the Tooro throne following the death of King Oyo, who passed away on August 27, 2026, at the age of 34 after more than three decades as Omukama. The reported announcement comes just days before King Oyo’s burial, scheduled for Saturday, September 12, at the Tooro Royal Tombs. The question of succession had attracted significant attention since Oyo’s death,…

TikTok personalities Ronald Mayega, popularly known as Omunyarwanda Wa Bobi, and Swaibu Kakaire have been remanded to Luzira Prison after appearing in court over allegations involving Local Government Minister Balaam Barugahara. The two appeared before Buganda Road Grade One Magistrate Winnie Nakamya Jatiko, where they denied the charges brought against them. Prosecution alleges that Mayega and Kakaire used their TikTok platform to publish statements accusing Minister Balaam of engaging in acts of sodomy, among other allegations. The pair are facing charges including publishing false information, operating a media outlet without a Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) licence and conspiracy to commit…