Prince Edward Rukidi Kijanangoma Nyabongo II has been crowned the new king of Uganda’s Tooro kingdom, succeeding the late King Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV who died last month at the age of 34, in a succession process marked by family grief, a disputed will, and a claim to the throne that has divided the royal house.
Kijanangoma spent more than two decades as a journalist and broadcaster, including a long tenure as anchor and editor at Uganda’s UBC. For most Ugandans, he was a familiar voice and face on the airwaves. He is now their king.
The coronation followed traditional Tooro customs beginning at midnight, culminating in a procession to the official Karuziika royal palace where the crown was placed on his head. The ceremony included a mock fight symbolising that kingship does not come easily, and blessings from members of the royal Babiito clan from which Tooro kings must descend. But the path to the coronation was anything but straightforward.
Dispute Over an Unrecognized Heir
King Oyo’s mother, Queen Best Kemigisa, argued publicly that her son had left a will designating his young son as heir. She said the child, who had been in Texas in the United States, could not return to Uganda amid what she described as a tense and hostile succession environment.
“No child should be placed in circumstances where returning to his father’s homeland could mean being drawn into hostility and conflict,” she wrote on social media.
The succession committee of 21 Babiito clan members rejected those claims, insisting the son had never been publicly presented and that their process followed Tooro customs. The kingdom’s information minister, Charles Mwanguhya, told the BBC there was “growing acceptance that, sad as it may be, King Oyo didn’t leave a son behind.” Uganda’s government backed the committee’s decision and Attorney General Sam Mayanja cleared the coronation to proceed.
President Yoweri Museveni attended, as did his son and military chief Muhoozi Kainerugaba, who posted his public support on social media.
Kijanangoma is a cousin of the late King Oyo. Both are grandsons of King Rukidi III, the 11th king of Tooro who reigned from 1928 to 1965. His very name carries royal prophecy; his father was born the year Rukidi III became king and was given a name meaning “the one who comes with the royal drum.”
In his first words as king, Kijanangoma asked for partnership rather than deference.
“They have given me this title as king but I cannot work alone. I have to work with you,” he said.
He promised the palace would be open to the people and pledged to use the connections built over two decades in journalism to bring benefit to the community.
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