Magezi said Lt Gen Muhanga visited the palace to pay his last respects to the fallen King and inspect the progress of UPDF projects at the Royal Tombs, including roads leading to the burial site and other rehabilitation works.
The Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) has dismissed claims that it withdrew its Royal Guards from the Tooro Kingdom palace, saying the palace remains under security protection amid ongoing succession processes.
The clarification follows a statement attributed to the Queen Mother of Tooro, Her Majesty Best Kemigisa, dated September 10, 2026, in which concerns were raised about the security situation at the Royal Palace.
In a statement issued by Col. Chris Magezi, the Acting Director of Defence Public Information at the Ministry of Defence and Veteran Affairs (MODVA), the UPDF said it had not withdrawn the Tooro Royal Guards and that reports suggesting residents of the palace were under lockdown or house arrest were also untrue.
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“The UPDF is not privy to or involved in the succession processes currently ongoing in the Tooro Kingdom,” Magezi said.
He explained that, given the magnitude of the ongoing events, the large number of people gathered at the palace and the proximity of security threats emanating from eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), the UPDF leadership had instead decided to reinforce security at the palace and surrounding areas.
According to Magezi, movements around the palace are being closely monitored, with access-control measures, including thorough searches and checks, introduced to enhance the safety of everyone at the site.
The UPDF also clarified the recent presence of its Commander Land Forces (CLF), Lt Gen Kayanja Muhanga, at the palace.
Magezi said Lt Gen Muhanga visited the palace to pay his last respects to the fallen King and inspect the progress of UPDF projects at the Royal Tombs, including roads leading to the burial site and other rehabilitation works.
He said the CLF was satisfied with the progress made by the UPDF Engineering Brigade and expressed confidence that the works would be completed in time for the official burial of the King.
The UPDF further conveyed its condolences to the Queen Mother following the death of her son and King, extending its sympathies to the Royal Family, the Tooro Kingdom and Ugandans and people across the region mourning the loss.
“The UPDF, working with other security forces, remains available to extend all the required support to guarantee security, calm, and the safety of mourners during this period of grief,” Magezi said.
The clarification comes as Tooro Kingdom continues preparations for the burial of its late King, with security heightened around the Royal Palace and burial-related sites.
