Prince Edward Rukidi Kijanangoma Nyabongo II, a 56-year-old journalist and editor, is set to be crowned king of Uganda's Tooro kingdom. He has been a familiar face in Uganda, working as a long-serving anchor and editor at the state broadcaster. Kijanangoma's rise to the throne has sparked controversy and widespread reactions beyond Uganda. Tooro is one of Uganda's four main officially recognised historical kingdoms.
The Tooro kingdom has been headed by King Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV for the last 31 years. King Oyo, also known as the "boy king," ascended to the throne in 1995 at just three years old after his father's death. He became the world's youngest monarch at the time and ruled until his death last month from cancer at the age of 34. The coronation of the new king involves traditional practices, including a mock fight to signify that kingship does not come easily.
The selection of Kijanangoma as king was not straightforward, with a succession dispute arising from the late King Oyo's alleged will. According to tradition, a recognised son of the late king should succeed him, but the son has never been revealed to the public. The royal succession committee, consisting of 21 Babiito clan members, selected Kijanangoma instead. The late King Oyo's mother, Queen Best Kemigisa, argued that the late king's will ought to have been respected, describing Kijanangoma's selection as the "announcement of a second king."
Queen Kemigisa stated that her grandson, who was in the US state of Texas, had been due to return home but could not do so amid the tense and polarised succession dispute. The Tooro kingdom's Information Minister, Charles Mwanguhya, said that the son being talked about "hasn't been presented anywhere, which means there is a growing acceptance that sad as it may be, King Oyo didn't leave a son behind." Kijanangoma and the late King Oyo are cousins, both being grandsons of King George David Matthew Kamurasi Rukidi III.
Kijanangoma was among several people considered for the role, including Prince George Desmond Kamurasi, who declined the offer citing other responsibilities. After being formally announced, Kijanangoma promised that the palace would be open to the people, focusing on unity and development. Uganda's traditional kings have no formal political authority but retain cultural influence and command significant loyalty in their communities.
The government has backed the Babiito clan's choice of Kijanangoma, with Attorney General Sam Mayanja stating that the Tooro kingdom was cleared to go ahead with the coronation. President Yoweri Museveni is scheduled to attend the coronation, and his son, Muhoozi Kainerugaba, has publicly supported Kijanangoma. Kijanangoma's name points to his royal heritage, with his father being born in the year King Rukidi III became king.
Kijanangoma was born in 1970 and raised in Fort Portal, about 300 km from Kampala. He graduated with a mass communication degree from Makerere University in 1999 and worked as a broadcaster for over two decades. His experience as a journalist may serve him well as he returns to the community he came from, this time as their leader. Kijanangoma's mother, Assimwe Yusta Kijanangoma, is confident that he is well-prepared for his new role, having been raised with traditional teachings.
Key points
- The coronation of Prince Edward Rukidi Kijanangoma Nyabongo II as king of the Tooro kingdom has sparked a succession dispute.
- The dispute arose from the late King Oyo's alleged will, which stated that his son should succeed him.
- Kijanangoma's selection as king was backed by the government, with President Yoweri Museveni scheduled to attend the coronation.
