A goalkeeper playing in the ninth tier of English football has turned down the chance to become king of a traditional kingdom in Uganda, according to the royal succession committee.
George Desmond Kamurasi, 36, who captains southeast London club SE Dons, had emerged as the committee's preferred candidate to become the next omukama, or king, of the Tooro people following the death of his cousin, King Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV, last month.
However, Fr Dr Charles Oyo, a member of the 21-person Royal Succession Committee, said Kamurasi declined the throne because other responsibilities meant he was unable to take up the role.
The committee subsequently selected Prince Edward Rukidi Kijanangoma, a news anchor and editor at state broadcaster Uganda Broadcasting Corporation, as the new monarch. His selection was announced in Fort Portal on Wednesday, although that selection has been disputed by members of Oyo's immediate family.
"After vetting the candidates, we numbered them. We had priority one, priority two and priority three," Oyo told NTV Uganda.
"After that, we vetted them and we engaged them one by one. The first one said, 'No, I have responsibilities and I am not able to be king.'"
Oyo said the next candidate accepted the role.
Kamurasi, known as "Big G" at the Bexleyheath-based club, had been selected as the committee's first choice last week. Ugandan media reported that 15 of the 18 committee members present had voted in favour of him.
At the time, Kamurasi had not commented publicly on his selection, although reports in Uganda suggested he was reluctant to leave his life in London to take up the role.
The 6-foot-6 goalkeeper has become a prominent figure at SE Dons, who were founded in 2014 by British rapper Don Strapzy and initially gained a large following through YouTube before entering the English football pyramid.
Kamurasi regularly features in the club's social media content and is known for delivering passionate, often expletive-laden, speeches to his teammates before matches.
SE Dons are enjoying their first season in the FA Cup and beat Erith Town 2-0 on Saturday to reach the second qualifying round.
Uganda is governed by an elected president and parliament, but several traditional kingdoms retain significant cultural and social influence despite having no political power.
A succession battle has been playing out in the nation in recent days.
Oyo's mother and sister have challenged the succession committee's decision, citing a 2022 will which they say provides for Oyo's biological son to succeed him if the child is legally recognised. The kingdom's leadership has called for the will, Tooro customs and the legal position to be examined.
Kamurasi and SE Dons have been approached for comment.
