Key facts
- Prince Edward Rukidi Kijanangoma Nyabongo II, a former journalist, is to be crowned king of Uganda's Tooro kingdom.
- The selection follows a dispute over succession, with the late King Oyo's mother advocating for his son.
- The Babiito clan committee chose Kijanangoma, grandson of King Rukidi III, over the late king's son.
- Uganda's traditional kingdoms hold cultural influence but no formal political authority.
- The Ugandan government supports Kijanangoma's coronation.
Prince Edward Rukidi Kijanangoma Nyabongo II, a 56-year-old journalist and former broadcaster, is poised to be crowned the new king of Uganda's Tooro kingdom, following a contentious succession dispute. The coronation is scheduled to take place after traditional ceremonies beginning at midnight.
The Tooro kingdom has been led for the past 31 years by King Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV, who ascended the throne as an infant in 1995 and died last month at the age of 34. The selection of Kijanangoma, a cousin to the late King Oyo and grandson of King Rukidi III, has been met with opposition from Queen Best Kemigisa, the late king's mother. She argued that her son's will designated his own son as the rightful successor.
However, the committee of 21 Babiito clan members, responsible for choosing the king, disregarded the will and selected Kijanangoma. The late King Oyo's son has not been publicly revealed or recognized by the committee. Queen Kemigisa expressed her pain over the dispute, stating that celebrations for the new king occurred near her son's resting place and that Oyo's son could not return home due to the "tense and polarised succession dispute."
According to the Tooro kingdom's Information Minister, Charles Mwanguhya, the acceptance is growing that King Oyo may not have left a recognized son. He also noted that the crown has moved to a different line within the ruling Babiito clan, specifically from the lineage of King George David Matthew Kamurasi Rukidi III. Kijanangoma, who also has royal heritage through his father, was reportedly offered the throne after declining other responsibilities.
Uganda's traditional kingdoms, though lacking formal political power, retain significant cultural influence. The government, under President Yoweri Museveni, restored these kingdoms in the early 1990s. The government has backed Kijanangoma's selection, with Attorney General Sam Mayanja stating the coronation is cleared as no formal complaint has been lodged against him. President Museveni is expected to attend the ceremony, and his son, Muhoozi Kainerugaba, has publicly endorsed Kijanangoma.
Kijanangoma, who graduated with a mass communication degree from Makerere University in 1999, had a career spanning over two decades in broadcasting, including at the Uganda Broadcasting Corporation. He has pledged to focus on unity and development for the Tooro people.