Non-league goalkeeper turns down chance to become king in Uganda

He prefers the magic of the FA Cup after all

The non-league goalkeeper George Desmond Kamurasi, who is captain of SE Dons from southeast London, turned out the preferred candidate of the royal succession committee to become the next omukama, or king, of the Tooro people.

The committee has now revealed that he has turned down that opportunity, which emerged following the death of his cousin last month.

As per Fr Dr Charles Oyo, member of the 21-person Royal Succession Committee, the goalkeeper declined the throne as he was unable to take up the role due to other responsibilities.

According to reports in Uganda, he was reluctant to leave his life in London to take up the role.

Following his refusal, a news anchor and editor at state broadcaster Uganda Broadcasting Corporation, Prince Edward Rukidi Kijanangoma, was subsequently selected by the committee as the new monarch.

King Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV ruled the Tooro Kingdom for more than three decades.

After the anchor’s selection was announced on Wednesday, it was disputed by members of Oyo's immediate family.

Who's the non-league keeper who turned down the chance to rule a kingdom

The non-league goalkeeper, George Kamurasi, made an appearance in the FA Cup just last month.

The SE Dons captain was chosen to take the throne of the kingdom in Uganda, The Telegraph reported.

His accession to the throne was planned following the death of his cousin, who previously held the role.

As the youngest reigning monarch at the time since 1995 when he was only 3 years old, King Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV had led the traditional kingdom, with a population of around 800,000.

Rukidi IV passed away in late August after getting treated for cancer.

Ugandan officials announced at the time of his death that in his honour they would plant one million trees.

How the non-league goalkeeper was chosen to succeed his cousin

Ugandan media reported that on Friday, a royal succession committee of 21 members selected Kamurasi, the SE Dons goalkeeper, to replace Rukidi IV.

“The new king Desmond Kamurasi looks like a strong mobiliser, no nonsense, aggressive. For the people of Tooro, that’s a good thing”, Cynthia Natkoto, an author from Uganda said.

According to the will of George Rukidi III, their late grandfather and former king of Tooro, Kamurasi was second in line to succeed his uncle Olimi Kaboyo II after his cousin.

Meanwhile, in Uganda there have been mixed reports about the possibility that his cousin, who never married, left a secret heir who would be a potential successor.

As The Times reports, the claim is disputed by the head of Tooro’s royal clan, who said Rukidi IV had no children.

Tooro, in western Uganda, is one of four traditional kingdoms left in the country.

While the leadership role of the omukama is understood to be cultural rather than political, a formal declaration is expected.

The goalkeeper played in the FA Cup with his team SE Dons on Saturday to beat Erith Town 2-0 and reach the second qualifying round.