A stand-off emerged at the main entrance of Tooro Kingdom’s palace in Fort Portal City on Friday morning after security officers restricted access to the royal compound following the death of Omukama Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV.
UPDF personnel deployed at the palace blocked kingdom subjects, some officials and journalists from accessing the compound, with no immediate explanation given for the restrictions.
The restrictions triggered a confrontation involving Charles Kamurasi, head of the Babiito royal clan and uncle to the late King, who questioned why kingdom subjects were being prevented from entering the palace.
Kamurasi arrived shortly after 8am and was allowed through the main gate but was stopped a few metres inside.
He was later heard demanding an explanation from security officers.
‘Since when did the palace become a barracks? This is our kingdom. People are being blocked from accessing it. I need to know who has given this order. I am the head of the royal family,’ Kamurasi said.
He was the first senior royal figure to arrive at the palace and was followed shortly afterwards by Tooro Kingdom Deputy Prime Minister Harriet Nyakake, who was allowed to proceed inside.
For several hours, ordinary subjects remained outside the main gate, while journalists covering developments following the King’s death were also initially denied access.
The main gate was opened shortly after 9am following Kamurasi’s protest, although those who entered were temporarily stopped from proceeding to a second gate closer to the main palace house.
Security officers were also seen stopping some people arriving in vehicles and directing them to Muchwa, the Tooro Kingdom administrative headquarters, where mourning activities are expected to take place.
The restrictions frustrated some kingdom subjects who had gathered to mourn the King.
‘He has been our King. Why are people being blocked? Do they think we are going to steal something? I even see some kingdom officials being blocked,’ one resident said.
Kamurasi later left the palace and was driven towards Fort Portal town before returning about 30 minutes later and proceeding directly to the palace.
The restrictions came less than 12 hours after the announcement of King Oyo’s death at about 10pm on Thursday.
His death has triggered an outpouring of grief across Tooro, with kingdom officials, members of the royal family and subjects gathering as preparations for his burial and succession begin.
King Oyo became Omukama at the age of three in 1995 following the death of his father, King Patrick Matthew Kaboyo Olimi III.
He went on to become the longest-serving traditional monarch in the history of Tooro Kingdom.
By Friday morning, no official burial programme had been announced.
Tooro Kingdom Prime Minister Calvin Armstrong said in an early-morning WhatsApp message to this reporter that he was due to meet President Museveni to discuss burial arrangements.
In a separate statement issued by the kingdom, Armstrong formally communicated the King’s death to the President.
Security remained tight around the palace as kingdom officials began coordinating arrangements following the death.
The reason for the restrictions on access to the palace had not been publicly explained by security officials by press time.