Prince Edward Rukidi Kijanangoma Nyabongo I, 56, is poised to ascend to the throne of Tooro kingdom, one of Uganda's four main officially recognised historical kingdoms. For many years, he was a familiar face in Uganda as a long-serving anchor and editor at the state broadcaster. However, his rise to the Tooro throne has sparked widespread reactions and controversy.
The Tooro kingdom has been headed by King Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV, who ascended to the throne in 1995 at just three years old following the death of his father. He became the world's youngest monarch at the time and ruled until his death last month from cancer, aged 34. According to tradition, a recognised son of the late king should succeed him, but the selection of Kijanangoma as king was far from straightforward.
The late King Oyo left a young son and a will with instructions that the child should be next on the throne, but the son has never been revealed to the public nor recognised by the committee of 21 Babiito clan members who chose the king and eventually selected Kijanangoma. The late king's mother, Queen Best Kemigisa, argued that the late king's will ought to have been respected, describing celebrations for the next king taking place "only metres from where my son's body lay" as "extraordinarily painful".
The royal succession committee ignored Kemigisa's wishes, insisting their selection process was conducted in accordance with Tooro customs and traditions. The new king has thus found himself at the centre of a succession dispute, with Kemigisa and her close relatives unhappy with the outcome. According to the Tooro kingdom's information minister, 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 Rukidi III, the 11th king, or Omukama, who ruled the Tooro kingdom from 1928 to 1965. The new king was among several people considered for the role, including Prince George Desmond Kamurasi, who declined the offer of the throne citing other responsibilities. After being formally announced, Kijanangoma promised that the palace would be open to the people, while vowing to focus on unity and development.
Uganda's traditional kings have no formal political authority but retain cultural influence and command significant loyalty in the communities they lead. The country is home to four main kingdoms, the largest and most prominent being Buganda in the central region, which encompasses the capital Kampala. The government 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 as there had not been a formal complaint against him.
The coronation of Kijanangoma will involve traditional practices starting from midnight, with the new king walking about 4km to the official Karuziika royal palace where he will be crowned. The government announced the date of the coronation, and President Yoweri Museveni is scheduled to attend, along with his son, Muhoozi Kainerugaba, who publicly supported Kijanangoma.
Key points
- The selection of Kijanangoma as king was disputed due to a claim that the late king had left a young son and a will instructing that the child should be next on the throne.
- Kijanangoma, a former journalist, has vowed to focus on unity and development as the new king of Tooro kingdom.
- The coronation of Kijanangoma will be attended by President Yoweri Museveni and his son, Muhoozi Kainerugaba, who publicly supported the new king.
