Uganda Government Denies Tooro Queen Mother House Arrest Claims

• The Ugandan government has denied social media reports that Tooro Queen Mother Best Kemigisha is under house arrest.
• State Minister Juma Witonze Kisekka stated the allegations were baseless, attributing palace security to anticipated chaos and international media attention.
• Queen Mother Best Kemigisha, in a September 10, 2026 statement, claimed security forces restricted royal family movement and access, explicitly stating they were "under house arrest."
• These conflicting accounts arise amidst tensions over the future leadership of the Tooro Kingdom following King Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV's death on August 26, 2026.
• The government has urged calm and avoidance of unverified information as preparations for the king's burial at Karambi Royal Tombs continue.

The Ugandan government has firmly refuted widespread social media reports suggesting that Best Kemigisha, the Queen Mother of Tooro, is being held under house arrest.

The Ugandan government has firmly refuted widespread social media reports suggesting that Best Kemigisha, the Queen Mother of Tooro, is being held under house arrest. These denials come amidst escalating internal tensions and leadership disputes within the Tooro Kingdom, following the recent passing of its monarch. State Minister for Internal Affairs, Juma Witonze Kisekka, addressed the allegations directly during an exclusive live broadcast with NBS TV, asserting that such claims were entirely unfounded.

Minister Witonze urged the public to maintain composure and show deference to the royal family as preparations for the late king's funeral proceed. He clarified that any security presence observed around the palace was a precautionary measure, implemented due to anticipated potential disturbances. The minister also noted that the significant presence of international media organizations in the region had amplified scrutiny on the kingdom's affairs, calling for responsible reporting from all Ugandans.

Despite the government's assurances, the Queen Mother, Best Kemigisha, had previously issued a statement outlining a starkly different scenario. In her communication, dated September 10, 2026, she alleged that security forces had encircled the palace, effectively restricting the movement of royal family members and preventing visitors from entering. Kemigisha explicitly stated, "We cannot leave or receive people freely. We are under house arrest," painting a picture of confinement.

Her statement further claimed that Lieutenant General Kayanja Muhanga had visited the palace three days prior to the king's burial, unilaterally removing the existing royal guards without prior notification. Following this, she asserted, troops were subsequently deployed around the royal residence. Kemigisha also raised concerns about the Omusuuga, the head of the Babiito royal clan, who she claimed had been taken to an undisclosed location. The government, however, has not corroborated these specific allegations, maintaining that the security deployment was solely in response to potential unrest.

These conflicting narratives unfold against a backdrop of significant upheaval within the Tooro Kingdom, grappling with the vacuum created by the death of King Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV. The monarch passed away in the United States on August 26, 2026, triggering a period of mourning and, concurrently, intense disagreements regarding the kingdom's future leadership. The impending burial ceremony has become a focal point, drawing considerable national and international attention.

The late king's remains are scheduled to be interred at the Karambi Royal Tombs, situated along the Kasese-Fort Portal road, on an upcoming Saturday. This solemn event is being meticulously planned, with various security agencies and other key stakeholders actively involved in ensuring its smooth execution. The gravity of the occasion underscores the delicate situation within the kingdom as it prepares to bid farewell to its departed leader.

In light of the prevailing tensions and the sensitive period of mourning, the government has issued a broad appeal for calm. Officials have urged the public to refrain from disseminating unverified information, emphasizing the need for respectful conduct as the royal family and the Tooro Kingdom prepare for the final rites. Minister Witonze specifically called upon Ugandans to avoid "negative reporting," highlighting the importance of unity during this critical time.

The Queen Mother, Best Kemigisha, also made a public plea, specifically addressing Lieutenant General Kayanja Muhanga, the leadership of the Uganda People's Defence Forces (UPDF), and President Museveni. Her appeal was for the royal family to be granted the freedom to mourn and peacefully lay King Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV to rest, underscoring the desire for an undisturbed period of grief and transition.

Source: Original reporting via Nile Post.