Prince Edward Rukidi Kijanangoma Nyabongo I is set to be crowned the new king of Uganda’s Tooro Kingdom, following the death of King Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV.
The 56-year-old former broadcaster is a well-known figure in Uganda, having spent more than two decades working as a journalist, anchor and editor with the Uganda Broadcasting Corporation.
King Oyo, who became monarch at the age of three in 1995, died last month from cancer at 34.
His death triggered a contested succession process within the royal family.
According to members of the late king’s family, Oyo left behind a young son and a will indicating that the child should inherit the throne.
However, the boy has not been publicly presented or formally recognised by the 21-member Babiito succession committee responsible for selecting the new ruler.
Queen Best Kemigisa, Oyo’s mother, has criticised the decision to overlook the alleged wishes of her late son. She said the selection of another monarch was deeply painful and argued that Oyo’s will should have been honoured.
Tooro Kingdom officials, however, maintain that the selection of Kijanangoma followed established customs and traditions.
Information Minister Charles Mwanguhya said the alleged son had not been formally presented, leading to growing acceptance that Oyo did not leave a recognised heir.
Kijanangoma and Oyo were cousins and both descended from King George David Matthew Kamurasi Rukidi III, who ruled Tooro from 1928 until 1965.
The new monarch was chosen after several candidates were considered. Among them was Prince George Desmond Kamurasi, a footballer and captain and goalkeeper of the South East Dons in the United Kingdom, who reportedly declined the position because of other commitments.
Kijanangoma has pledged to promote unity, development and greater public engagement during his reign. He has also promised to use the relationships established during his journalism career to support the people of Tooro.
His coronation will involve a series of traditional rituals beginning around midnight.
The incoming king is expected to walk approximately four kilometres to the Karuziika royal palace, where the main ceremony will take place.
A symbolic battle will form part of the proceedings before members of the Babiito clan bless him. Further rituals will then mark his assumption of royal authority before the crown is placed on his head.
Uganda has four officially recognised historical kingdoms. Although they have no constitutional political power, their monarchs continue to hold considerable cultural significance and influence within their communities.
The kingdoms were abolished in 1967 but restored by President Yoweri Museveni’s government in the 1990s as part of efforts to promote cultural identity and national cohesion.
The government has supported Kijanangoma’s selection, with Attorney General Sam Mayanja saying there was no formal complaint preventing the coronation from proceeding.
President Museveni is expected to attend the ceremony, while his son and military chief, Muhoozi Kainerugaba, has also expressed support for the incoming king.
Born in 1970, Kijanangoma grew up in Kidukuru village near Fort Portal. He later studied mass communication at Makerere University, graduating in 1999.
His broadcasting career took him to Rwanda and Uganda, where he worked for more than 20 years.
His experience dealing with public officials, communities and national issues is expected to influence his approach to his new responsibilities.
His mother, Assimwe Yusta Kijanangoma, said her son was raised according to traditional royal values and believes his upbringing has prepared him for leadership.
Kijanangoma’s name itself carries royal significance. His father was given the name by King Rukidi III, with the term meaning “the one who comes with the royal drum”.
The coronation therefore marks the return of the royal drum to another generation of the family, as Kijanangoma prepares to assume leadership of the Tooro Kingdom.
By: Magdalene Agyeiwaa Sarpong