The Tooro Elders Forum has thrown its weight behind the ongoing succession process in the Tooro Kingdom, endorsing the work of the 21-member succession committee while warning individuals and groups against actions that could inflame divisions during the sensitive transition.
In a statement issued on September 11, 2026, the Isaazi Ly’Abantu Bakuru Ba Tooro (Tooro Elders Forum) called for unity, restraint and respect for the Kingdom’s traditions following the death of Omukama Rukirabasaija Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV.
The elders said the Kingdom was passing through a period of mourning and transition that required its people to place the interests of Tooro above personal ambitions, disagreements and competing positions.
The statement, signed by retired Colonel Tom Butime, chairperson of the Tooro Elders Forum, specifically endorsed the succession process and the work of the 21-member committee tasked with handling the matter.
“Isaazi L’y’Abantu Bakuru Ba Tooro agrees with and supports the work of the 21-member succession committee, the process through which it carried out its responsibility, and the results and recommendations arising from its deliberations,” the elders said.
The endorsement comes amid heightened public discussion over the succession of the late Omukama, with different interpretations and positions circulating within and outside the Kingdom.
The elders said the cultural institutions and individuals entrusted with responsibilities relating to succession should be accorded the respect necessary for the transition to proceed in accordance with the customs, traditions and established practices of the Tooro Kingdom.
Elders reject divisive politics
The elders warned against what they described as “divisionary activities” that were tarnishing the image of Tooro and sowing seeds of disunity.
They appealed to the people of Tooro to reflect on the broader interests of the Kingdom rather than allow individual interests, disagreements or competing positions to dominate the succession debate.
“At moments such as this, the interests of the Kingdom must rise above individual interests, disagreements and competing positions,” the statement reads.
The forum argued that Tooro was a heritage passed down through generations and therefore had to be protected for future generations.
The elders further called for the dignity, peace and continuity of the Kingdom to be placed above personal interests, particularly as preparations continue for the installation of a new Omukama.
They urged the people of Tooro to honour the memory of the late King and prepare for what they described as the “next chapter” in the life of the Kingdom.
Warning over social media, AI
The elders also took aim at the growing circulation of information about the succession on social media platforms.
They expressed concern over what they called the circulation of false, misleading and unverified information, particularly through social media.
The forum urged the public to exercise responsibility when creating, publishing and sharing information concerning the Kingdom.
It specifically mentioned artificial intelligence and other digital technologies, warning that such tools should not be used to manufacture, alter or circulate information capable of misleading the public or creating unnecessary tension.
The intervention reflects growing concern over the role of digital platforms in shaping public perceptions of the Tooro succession process, with the elders calling on users to distinguish between verified information and individual commentary.
The forum also appealed to journalists, media houses and other public communicators to uphold professional standards and obtain information concerning the Kingdom and succession from authentic and competent sources.
Call for restraint and respect
The elders said individuals and groups, both within and outside Tooro, should respect the dignity of the Kingdom and the sensitivity of the current period.
They urged anyone becoming involved in matters concerning Tooro to contribute to peace, unity and understanding rather than confusion and division.
The forum further invited people of goodwill to join the people of Tooro in mourning the departed Omukama, stand with the Royal Family and pray for a peaceful transition and successful installation of the new King.
The elders also singled out the younger generation, urging them to develop a deeper understanding of Tooro’s history, heritage and governance.
They warned against relying exclusively on social media commentary, isolated contemporary documents or individual interpretations when attempting to understand matters relating to the Kingdom.
Instead, young people were encouraged to study the documented history of Tooro, as well as its norms, customs, traditions and established monarchical practices.
The elders said understanding the history of the Kingdom was essential to ensuring that its people were better positioned to preserve their heritage and make responsible decisions about its future.
A direct endorsement of the succession process
The strongest message in the statement is the elders’ explicit endorsement of the 21-member succession committee and its recommendations.
By publicly supporting both the committee’s work and the process through which it discharged its mandate, the Tooro Elders Forum appears to be urging members of the public to respect the outcome of the established succession mechanism rather than attempting to reopen the process through competing claims or public pressure.
The elders stressed that disagreements over interpretation may naturally arise, but warned that such differences should not be allowed to undermine the customs and traditions that have held the Tooro people together for generations.
They called for the transition to be guided by wisdom, restraint, respect and unity.
“Let this be a time for wisdom, restraint, respect and unity,” the statement says.
The elders concluded by calling on the people of Tooro to protect the dignity, peace and continuity of the Kingdom as preparations continue for the installation of a new Omukama.
They said the responsibility to preserve Tooro’s heritage should not be left to the current generation alone, but should be exercised with an awareness that the Kingdom must be handed over intact to generations yet to come.
