London-based goalkeeper chosen as next ruler of Ugandan kingdom and rejecting it will be an abomination

A London-based non-league footballer has been selected to become the next king of Uganda’s Tooro people following the death of his cousin, King Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV.

George Desmond Kamurasi, 36, who is captain and goalkeeper of SE Dons in Crayford, south-east London, was chosen by the Tooro royal succession committee to succeed Oyo, who died unexpectedly in the United States last month at the age of 34.

Kamurasi was selected on Friday after 15 of the 18 committee members present voted in his favour. He is expected to be formally proclaimed the new omukama, or king, this weekend. The development could leave Kamurasi facing a decision over whether to continue his football career in London or take up his new responsibilities in Uganda.

Reports suggest Kamurasi is reluctant to give up goalkeeping and would prefer to remain in London, where he currently plays for SE Dons. He has yet to comment publicly on his expected elevation to the throne. However, according to reports, refusing the throne would be considered an abomination under Tooro cultural traditions.

The Tooro Kingdom is located in western Uganda and is one of the country’s four traditional kingdoms. Uganda’s traditional monarchies were abolished in 1967 but restored in 1993 as cultural institutions without political power. Kamurasi’s cousin Oyo became king in 1995 at the age of three and remained on the throne for more than three decades.

Following Oyo’s death, the royal succession process resulted in Kamurasi being selected as his successor, potentially taking the footballer from non-league competition in south-east London to the leadership of one of Uganda’s traditional kingdoms.

Kamurasi’s formal proclamation is expected this weekend, while he has not yet publicly indicated how his expected royal responsibilities will affect his future with SE Dons.