Tooro Crown Prince George Kamurasi Desmond has been selected to succeed the late King Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV as the next King of Tooro, following a secret meeting of senior members of the Babiito clan held Friday at Fort Motel in Fort Portal.
Kamurasi reportedly secured 15 of the 18 votes cast at the meeting, giving him a clear majority in the process to identify a successor to the fallen monarch.
However, the selection is yet to be followed by an official public communication from Musuuga Charles Kamurasi and the Babiito leadership to the wider Babiito community and the people of Tooro.
The meeting was attended by 18 of the 21 Babiito clan members who were assembled few days ago when the Palace officially announced King Oyo’s demise. They were chosen to participate in the process of finding a successor to King Oyo.
The list of members involved in the process included; Musuuga Charles Kamurasi, Msgr. Dr. Isaac Mayombo, Fr. Dr. Charles Oyo, Omub. Dr. Kagoro Kaijamurubi, Omub. Job Karamagi, Omub. Gilbert Mujogya, Omub. Mbogo Rukidi, Omub. Isaac Rwabwoni, Omub. Justice Mugamba Paul, Omub. David Mugamba, Hon. Harriet Nyakake, Hon. Muganzi Patrick, Omub. Kawamara Patrick, Omub. Sam Rukidi, Omub. Kato Rwakatale, Omub. Olimi Hassan, Omub. Rose Mpuro, Omub. Martha Mugamba, Omub. Martha Rabwoni and Omub. Ruth Ogeni Komuntale Akiiki.
Who is George Kamurasi Desmond?
George Kamurasi Desmond comes from the royal Babiito lineage and is the son of late Jimmy Mugenyi and grandson of the late Sir George Rukidi.
His selection places him at the centre of a historic transition for the Kingdom of Tooro, following the death of King Oyo, who had been one of Uganda’s longest-serving traditional monarchs.
King Oyo ascended the Tooro throne as a child in 1995, succeeding his father, Patrick Matthew Kaboyo Olimi III. His reign spanned more than three decades and saw the kingdom maintain its cultural institution while navigating Uganda’s modern political and social environment.
The process to identify his successor has therefore attracted considerable interest among the Babiito and the wider Tooro community.
Although sources indicate that Kamurasi won the vote decisively, the development is not yet being treated as a formal public coronation announcement.
The next step is expected to be communication from the Babiito leadership, particularly Musuga Charles Kamurasi, formally informing the Babiito and the people of Tooro about the outcome.
If confirmed publicly, George Kamurasi Desmond will become the new face of the Tooro royal institution and inherit the responsibility of continuing the cultural legacy of the Babiito dynasty.
More details are expected as the Babiito leadership makes its official communication.
