Prince Solomon Nyaika and Prince Patrick Mpuuga have expressed frustration over what they describe as the alleged “hijacking” of their father, Omusuuga Charles Karumasi, by individuals they claim have interfered in the succession process following the death of Omukama Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV.
Speaking to the press, Prince Nyaika strongly challenged the process through which a successor to the late Omukama Oyo was selected, arguing that the Tooro throne should not be subjected to a voting process.
He questioned why members of the Babito clan would resort to voting to determine the next King when, according to him, the late Omukama Oyo had a son and had left behind a Will outlining his wishes.
“Now King Oyo has a son and has a Will. In the past, all these people were using the Will. So, it is not right, these so-called Babito who are using votes. A king is not voted for, for heaven’s sake, anywhere else in the world. There is nowhere the Babito have sat in a committee.”
He further accused some of the individuals involved in the current succession process of being the same people who, according to him, had disagreements with the late King decades ago.
“These are enemies of King Oyo. They’ve been here 31 years ago and now, they’re back. If you can go through the list of the 21 members, these are the people who disturbed King Oyo 31 years back when he was just installed on the throne.”
Prince Nyaika also questioned how their father, Omusuuga Charles Karumasi, became involved in the succession dispute, claiming that he had been surrounded by individuals who were not previously active within the royal establishment.
“We don’t know how Omusuuga came into the mixture. He was hijacked by certain people and he’s surrounded by people with collars who have not been here for the last 31 years, who have never stepped on the Palace Hill. We’re now seeing them chairing meetings. They’ve never been part of the royal family.”
He urged the media and the public to distinguish between members of the royal family and individuals he claimed had recently become involved in the succession process.
“Media should be clear on this. These are not royal members of the family. The sons and daughters of Sir George Rukidi are well known.”
Meanwhile, Prince Patrick Mpuuga said he and his brother stood firmly behind the wishes of the late Omukama Oyo, whom he described as their elder brother and friend.
“What His Majesty Omukama Oyo Nyimba Rukidi IV left behind, he was our eldest brother and friend, and we strongly stand with him because we know he left a Will. That Will is expressly clear and many of you have seen it. And those that are yet to see it, you will see it in due course on the way forward.”
Mpuuga also openly disagreed with his father over the position he has taken in the succession dispute, saying the late King’s Will should take precedence over an earlier Will left by their grandfather.
“Secondly, we disagree with our own father, with his position. It’s very surprising that he has taken that turn. We disagree, with all honesty, because the truth prevails. It’s very clear that the Will of the King now overrides any Will that existed in the past. Those people who are invoking the Will of our grandfather, whom I give respect, no longer stand.”
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