In a traditional ceremony held in Tooro's capital Fort Portal, Edward Rukidi Kijanangoma was crowned the 13th monarch of the Batooro people, taking the new royal name Edward Rukidi Nyabongo I. The ceremony included the slaughter of a bull and sprinkling of a hen's blood, marking the end of a succession dispute that arose after the death of the previous monarch. Kijanangoma, 56, is a cousin of the late King Oyo Nyimba.
King Oyo Nyimba died last month in the US while receiving treatment for angiosarcoma, an aggressive cancer. He was just 34 years old and had drawn global attention in 1995 when he was enthroned at the age of 3 after the death of his father. The toddler king's images in royal robes and a crown prompted widespread fascination worldwide. Kijanangoma's coronation took place despite objections from King Oyo Nyimba's mother, Best Kemigisa, and sister, Princess Ruth Komuntale.
They claimed that the late king left behind a young son and a will naming him as heir, but the kingdom's prime minister and the head of the royal Babiito clan, Charles Kayondo Kamurasi, said the clan knew of no child and had followed Tooro's customs in choosing a successor. A 21-member committee from the royal Babiito clan selected Kijanangoma, who is a former television news anchor and editor at the state broadcaster UBC. Former colleagues of Kijanangoma describe him as humble and down-to-earth.
The coronation ceremony involved a mock battle for the crown, and Kijanangoma walked to Karuziika Palace between midnight and 3 a.m. to take part in the ritual. Relatives gathered at Karuziika Palace, accompanied by traditional drummers and dancers wearing calabashes and orange bark-cloth shawls. The event was a significant occasion for the Tooro people, who see the kingdom as an influential symbol of their identity and heritage.
Despite not having any political power, the four pre-colonial kingdoms in Uganda, including Tooro, remain important cultural institutions. The kingdom's subjects are preparing to celebrate the coronation, with women ironing their masuka and men ironing their kanzus, traditional clothes. Residents are also practicing how to sing Amakondere, praise music, in honor of the new king.
Uganda is a constitutional republic governed by an elected president, but the pre-colonial kingdoms continue to play a significant role in the country's cultural landscape. The coronation of King Edward Rukidi Nyabongo I marks a new chapter for the Tooro Kingdom, and the community is coming together to celebrate the occasion. The kingdom's prime minister and other officials have welcomed Kijanangoma as the new king.
The selection of Kijanangoma as the new king was reportedly supported by Uganda's central government, which pushed through the decision over the objections of King Oyo Nyimba's mother and sister. The coronation ceremony was attended by relatives and traditional leaders, who welcomed Kijanangoma as the new monarch. The event was a significant occasion for the Tooro people, who see the kingdom as an important part of their cultural heritage.
Key points
- A former TV news anchor was crowned king of Uganda's Tooro Kingdom, ending a succession dispute.
- The coronation ceremony involved traditional rituals, including the slaughter of a bull and sprinkling of a hen's blood.
- The kingdom's subjects are preparing to celebrate the coronation, with traditional clothes and praise music.
