Goalkeeper of ninth-tier English club set to become king of Uganda

George Desmond Kamurasi may skipper a non-league team, but he could soon lead a Ugandan kingdom of approximately 800,000.

Kamurasi, who wears the armband for ninth-tier club SE Dons, has been chosen to be the next king of the Tooro people in Uganda.

@big_gkam on Instagram

The 36-year-old’s mooted ascension to the throne comes after his cousin, King Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV, passed away in the United States after he received treatment for an aggressive form of cancer.

King Oyo had led the Tooro people since 1995, when he was just three years old.

Following the monarch’s passing, Ugandan officials revealed one million trees would be planted in his honour.

An official nine-day period of mourning immediately commenced, with King Oyo to be buried on Saturday.

Ugandan journalist Andrew Mwenda first reported Kamurasi will replace King Oyo, his cousin, on the throne.

In a post shared on X, Mwenda claimed a 21-person committee settled on Kamurasi as the next king of the Tooro kingdom.

Mwenda adds that official confirmation of Kamurasi’s appointment will come after King Oyo is buried, as per traditional Tooro customs.

Reacting to Kamurasi’s mooted ascension, Ugandan author Cynthia Nakoto wrote on X: “From the videos, the new king Desmond Kamurasi looks like a strong mobiliser, no nonsense, aggressive.

“For the people of Tooro, that’s a good thing. It’s about time they had a king like that.”

Despite Kamurasi’s reported selection, it is claimed he is reluctant to leave London to take up the position.

@big_gkam on Instagram

The 36-year-old is settled in the capital with a wife and son.

Further complicating matters is that SE Dons, who play in the Southern Counties East League Premier Division, are in action on the same day as King Oyo’s funeral.

SE Dons travel away to Chichester City in the second qualifying round of the FA Cup on Saturday.

Kamurasi’s side booked their spot in that stage of the competition following a 2-0 win over Erith Town.

In addition to his non-league career, Kamurasi appeared in goal on Soccer AM during the Car Park Challenge, where he’d attempt to save shots from celebrities and fans.