Queen Best

Queen Best Kemigisa (b. 1967) is the Queen Mother of the Toro Kingdom, based in Fort Portal, Uganda. She is mother to Rukirabasaija Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV, the reigning Omukama of Toro.^[1]

Early life

She is the daughter of Prince Mujunju, of the Batuku clan, of Rwebisengo, Bundibugyo District. She was educated at Kahinju Primary School, Mpanga Senior Secondary School and Kyebambe Girls School, all in the Kingdom of Toro. She is the Founder and Patron of the Toro Women's Development Association. ^[2]

Queen Mother

Queen Best was widowed in 1995 when King Patrick Olimi Kaboyo II died suddenly. She was one of the guardians of her son, the new King and one of a team of regents who helped rule Toro until he reached his majority in 2010. ^[3]

Her daughter, Princess Ruth Komuntale, is married to African-American businessman Christopher Thomas. ^[4]

Controversies

Queen Best took part in the controversial Kings and Sultans of Africa Forum set up by the then Libyan leader, Muammar Gaddafi. ^[5]

She allegedly evicted 60 year old John Businge from disputed land with the support of armed members of the King's security force. ^[6]

Queen Best brought charges of fraud against a man accused of stealing around $60,000 US from her, money supposed to be used to register her Toro Women's Organisation with the United Nations. ^[7] Moses Kyeyune was convicted in May 2013 and sentenced to five years in prison. ^[8]

References