Non-league goalkeeper from south London chosen to rule kingdom in Uganda

A non-league goalkeeper from London has been chosen to take the throne of a kingdom in Uganda. George Desmond Kamurasi, the captain of the SE Dons in Bexleyheath, south-east London, has unexpectedly become leader of the Tooro people in the east African country. Mr Kamurasi, 36, was chosen as the next omukama, or king, of the subnational constitutional monarchy in Uganda, after the death of his cousin, who previously held the role. King Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV had led the traditional kingdom, with a population of around 800,000, since 1995, when he was 3 years old. He was the world's youngest reigning monarch at the time. Rukidi IV died on Aug 27 following treatment for cancer. At the time, Ugandan officials announced that one million trees would be planted in his honour. On Friday, a royal succession committee of 21 members selected Mr Kamurasi to replace him, according to Ugandan media reports. A formal declaration is expected next week. Cynthia Natkoto, a Ugandan author, said: "The new king Desmond Kamurasi looks like a strong mobiliser, no nonsense, aggressive. For the people of Tooro, that's a good thing." Mr Kamurasi was second in line to succeed his uncle Olimi Kaboyo II after his cousin, according to the will of George Rukidi III, their late grandfather and former king of Tooro. There have been mixed reports in Uganda about the possibility that his cousin, who never married, left a secret heir who would be a potential successor. The claim is disputed by the head of Tooro's royal clan, who said Rukidi IV had no children, according to The Times. Tooro, in western Uganda, is one of four traditional kingdoms left in the country. The leadership role of the omukama is understood to be cultural rather than political. The goalkeeper, who played with his team to beat Erith Town 2-0 and reach the second qualifying round of the FA Cup on Saturday, is said to be reluctant to leave the UK, according to Ugandan news sites. The SE Dons, who made their FA Cup debut this year, are expected to play the Greenways away from home on Saturday, in a match that will clash with Rukidi IV's planned funeral.