Uganda army denies withdrawing Tooro Royal guards, placing family under house arrest

The Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF) on Friday denied withdrawing Tooro Royal Guards and placing the Royal Family under house arrest, as claimed by Queen Mother, Her Majesty Best Kemigisa, in a statement a day earlier.

According to a clarification issued by Acting Director of Defence Public Information, Chris Magezi, the UPDF said it had instead reinforced security given the scale of the event amid Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) border threats, but remained uninvolved in the Kingdom’s succession process.

“The UPDF has not withdrawn the Tooro Royal Guards. Reference is made to the statement attributed to the Queen Mother of Tooro, Her Majesty Best Kemigisa, dated September 10, 2026,” the UPDF stated.

“This is to clarify that the UPDF has not withdrawn the Tooro Royal Guards from the palace as alleged. Certainly, it is also not true that the residents of the Royal Palace are under lockdown or house arrest as suggested.”

The Queen Mother had on Thursday claimed that royal guards were removed from the Palace without notice and troops deployed around the compound, leaving the family unable to leave or receive visitors freely.

She added that the head of the Tooro royal family, Omubiito Charles Kamurasi Kayondo, popularly known as the Omusuuga, was also taken to an undisclosed location.

“Now, three days to my son’s burial, Gen. Kayanja Muhanga came to the Palace and removed the royal guards without notice, and troops were deployed around the Palace. They took the Musuuga away to a location we were not told,” Kemigisa said, while also appealing to the Commander of the UPDF Land Forces, Lieutenant General Kayanja Muhanga, UPDF leadership and President Yoweri Museveni to allow the family to mourn and bury Oyo in peace.

In its clarification, the UPDF said it was not privy to or involved in the succession processes currently ongoing in the Tooro Kingdom.

“Nonetheless, on account of the magnitude of the ongoing event, the large number of people gathered, and proximity to security threats emanating from eastern DRC, the UPDF leadership decided to reinforce the Royal Guards with additional security for the palace and the surrounding areas.

"Movements are being closely monitored, with access control measures such as thorough searches and checks introduced to ensure everyone’s safety,” Magezi added.

The military explained that Lt General Muhanga visited the palace to inspect the progress of UPDF projects at the Royal Tombs, the roads leading up to them, and other rehabilitation works.

“The CLF is satisfied that the UPDF Engineering Brigade has made excellent progress in executing the assigned works; he is confident they will be ready for the official burial of the King. The UPDF commiserates with the Queen Mother upon the untimely demise of her son and King. We also extend our deepest sympathies to the Royal Family, the Kingdom of Tooro, and all the people of Uganda and the region for the tragic loss of our beloved King," the Acting Director added.

"The UPDF commiserates with the Queen Mother upon the untimely demise of her son and King. We also extend our deepest sympathies to the Royal Family, the Kingdom of Tooro, and all the people of Uganda and the region for the tragic loss of our beloved King. The UPDF, working with other security forces, remains available to extend all the required support to guarantee security, calm, and the safety of mourners during this period of grief."

His Majesty, King Oyo Nyimba of the Tooro Kingdom, died on August 27 at the age of 34 while undergoing cancer treatment in the United States.

On Wednesday, the royal clan’s succession committee named the late king’s cousin, Prince Edward Rukidi Kijanangoma, a television anchor at Uganda Broadcasting Corporation (UBC), as the next monarch.

Meanwhile, preparations are set for the late King’s burial on Saturday, September 12.