Former Broadcaster Crowned King of Uganda’s Tooro Kingdom Amid Succession Controversy

Prince Edward Rukidi Kijanangoma Nyabongo II, soon to be crowned king of Uganda’s Tooro kingdom, has long been a prominent figure in the country.

To many Ugandans, he was recognized not as a royal heir, but as a storyteller and a longtime anchor and editor at the state broadcaster.

However, Kijanangoma, 56, has now become the subject of media attention himself, as his ascent to the Tooro throne has sparked controversy and widespread reactions abroad.

Tooro is one of Uganda’s four main officially recognised historical kingdoms. For the past 31 years, it was headed by King Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV, once known as the “boy king” after ascending the throne as an infant.

Oyo became king in 1995 at the age of three following his father’s death. Once the world’s youngest monarch, he ruled until his death from cancer last month at just 34.

The coronation is a day of celebration, involving traditional practices beginning at midnight. The new king then walks approximately 4km (2.5 miles) to the official Karuziika royal palace to be crowned.

A mock fight follows to signify that kingship does not come easily, after which he is blessed by members of the royal Babiito clan. Tooro kingdom Information Minister Charles Mwanguhya shared these details with the BBC Focus on Africa podcast.

He then performs additional ceremonies signifying his assumption of the throne, sits down, and has an actual crown placed on his head to signify his new authority and position as the new Tooro king.

However, the selection of Kijanangoma as king was far from straightforward.

According to tradition, a recognised son of the late king should succeed him. Close royal family members stated that Oyo had left a young son and a will instructing that the child should be next on the throne.

However, the son has never been revealed to the public and was not recognized by the committee of 21 Babiito clan members who select the king; they ultimately chose Kijanangoma.

The late King Oyo was never publicly married, and little is known about his wife or their son.

Nonetheless, his mother, Queen Best Kemigisa, argued that the late king’s will should have been respected.

However, the royal succession committee ignored her wishes, insisting their selection process adhered to Tooro customs and traditions.

The new king has thus found himself at the center of a succession dispute, with Kemigisa and her close relatives unhappy with the outcome.

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