Tooro Kingdom Splits as TV Anchor Grace Nankya Named Successor Over Late King Oyo’s Son
On July 15, the Tooro Traditional Council convened in Fort Portal and announced veteran news presenter Grace Nankya as the next monarch of the Tooro Kingdom. The announcement came just three days after a will filed at Mbarara High Court on July 12 named Prince Kintu, the four‑year‑old son of the late King Oyo, as his successor. The family of the deceased king immediately challenged the council’s choice, arguing that the will is legally binding. The dispute threatens to destabilize a cultural institution that plays a key role in western Uganda’s social fabric.
What the Council Announced and the Family’s Response
According to a statement released by the Tooro Traditional Council on July 15, the council’s senior chiefs voted unanimously to appoint Grace Nankya, a 38‑year‑old anchor of NTV Uganda’s flagship program "Prime News," as the next Omukama. The council cited Nankya’s long‑standing involvement in community outreach programmes across the Tooro region, including the 2022 "Water for All" campaign that delivered 5,000 clean‑water points to rural villages. The decision was made at the council’s headquarters in Fort Portal, the historic capital of the kingdom, and was signed by Chief Kanyago, the council’s chairperson.nnIn contrast, the late King Oyo’s immediate family presented a sealed copy of a will that was lodged with the Mbarara High Court on July 12. The will, witnessed by three senior magistrates, explicitly names Prince Kintu—the king’s four‑year‑old son—as the rightful heir. Princess Sarah Kiyingi, the boy’s mother, released a public statement on July 16 condemning the council’s move as “a breach of the king’s final wishes.” The family has filed a petition with the Ugandan High Court in Mbarara, seeking an injunction to halt the coronation ceremony scheduled for August 2 in Fort Portal. The petition argues that Ugandan customary law, as codified in the 1995 Constitution’s provisions on traditional institutions, requires that a legally documented will take precedence over council deliberations.
Why the Succession Dispute Could Ripple Beyond the Palace
The Tooro succession controversy highlights a broader tension between modern media personalities and traditional authority structures in Uganda. In recent years, several African monarchies have seen public figures—musicians, actors, and journalists—courted for ceremonial roles, blurring the line between cultural stewardship and celebrity influence. If Grace Nankya is installed, it could set a precedent for media elites to be fast‑tracked into hereditary positions, prompting other kingdoms to reconsider their own succession protocols.nnEconomically, the Tooro Kingdom commands significant control over land leases, tourism revenues, and the allocation of development grants from the central government. A protracted legal battle could delay the disbursement of funds earmarked for the kingdom’s annual cultural festival, which draws over 30,000 visitors and generates an estimated US$2 million for local businesses each year, according to a 2023 report by the Uganda Tourism Board. Small‑scale vendors, hoteliers, and transport operators stand to lose income if the festival is postponed or if public confidence in the monarchy wanes.nnPolitically, the dispute arrives at a time when President Yoweri Museveni’s administration is navigating increasing pressure to reform the role of traditional institutions. Opposition parties have called for greater transparency in the appointment of traditional leaders, arguing that opaque processes undermine democratic accountability. The outcome of the Tooro case may influence upcoming legislative debates in Parliament about codifying succession rules for all 17 recognized kingdoms in Uganda.
“Princess Sarah Kiyingi told reporters at a press conference in Fort Portal that the July 12 will is "the final and unequivocal expression of King Oyo’s wishes," and that any attempt to bypass it would betray the kingdom’s traditions.”
What Remains Unclear
Several critical questions remain unanswered. First, it is not yet known how the Ugandan High Court will interpret the interplay between customary law and statutory provisions regarding succession. Legal scholars from Makerere University’s Faculty of Law have suggested that the court may defer to the council’s authority if the will is deemed to lack proper notarisation, but no precedent exists for a direct clash of this nature. Second, the council has not disclosed whether Grace Nankya has formally accepted the throne or if she will seek a constitutional amendment to allow a non‑royal to reign. Third, the financial implications for the kingdom’s trust fund, valued at roughly UGX 150 billion (about US$40 million), depend on who is recognized as the legitimate monarch, yet the trust’s bylaws remain opaque. Finally, the reaction of neighboring kingdoms—such as Bunyoro and Buganda—has been muted, leaving observers uncertain whether a regional coalition might emerge to pressure the council or support the family’s claim. Until these issues are addressed, the kingdom’s stability and its cultural ceremonies remain in limbo.
What to Watch in the Next Days
In the coming 24‑72 hours, three developments will be decisive. First, the High Court is slated to hear oral arguments on the injunction request on July 19; the judge’s ruling could either suspend the August 2 coronation or allow it to proceed pending a full hearing. Second, Grace Nankya is expected to issue a public statement within the next 48 hours clarifying whether she will accept the throne or withdraw in favour of a mediated solution. Third, the Tooro council has hinted at convening an emergency meeting with senior chiefs and representatives of the royal family to explore a power‑sharing arrangement that could preserve the trust fund while respecting the will. Each of these moments will shape the legal, cultural, and economic trajectory of the kingdom.
Despite being a media personality, Grace Nankya already holds the traditional title of “Bataka,” granted by her grandfather—a rare dual‑status in Uganda.
