Ugandan journalist and royal prince Edward Rukidi Kijanangoma will be crowned the new king of Tooro Kingdom on Tuesday, 29 September 2026, following the death of King Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV.
Kijanangoma, 56, is a former television news anchor, broadcaster and editor who worked for more than two decades at Uganda Broadcasting Corporation. He was chosen by a 21-member succession committee of the Babiito royal clan, which has the traditional authority to identify the kingdom's next monarch.
Succession dispute after King Oyo's death
The transition comes after the death of King Oyo, who died in August at the age of 34 after treatment for cancer. Oyo became king in 1995 when he was just three years old and was recognised as the youngest reigning monarch in the world at the time.
His death caused a division in the royal family as to who should succeed him.
Queen Mother Best Kemigisa and other members of Oyo's family have argued that the late king left behind a son who should inherit the throne. They have also referred to a will that they say named the child as successor.
The alleged son has not been publicly presented or formally recognised by the Babiito succession committee. This has led to competing positions on whether traditional clan procedures or the late king's stated wishes should determine the succession.
Kijanangoma selected by Royal Clan
The Babiito succession committee announced Kijanangoma as successor on September 9, 2026. The committee said it had conducted consultations and due diligence before selecting him.
Kijanangoma is a cousin of the late King Oyo. Both are descendants of former Tooro King George David Rukidi III. The decision of the committee was then supported by the Tooro Elders Forum and some members of Oyo's immediate family had disputed the selection.
A Journalist Into a New Role.
Kijanangoma’s background is what makes the succession interesting. Before being selected for the throne he was known for his careers in broadcasting and journalism.
He spoke of unity and responsibility in the lead-up to the coronation and said that the royal heritage and hard work should be a prerequisite. But his coronation is a significant change from his previous public position as a journalist to that of cultural leader of the Batooro people.
How much power does the Tooro King have?
Uganda is a constitutional republic and traditional kingdoms do not exercise formal power in the traditional kingdoms. But the kingdoms are still cultural institutions that are important to be linked with heritage, customs and community and cultural identity.
The Tooro Kingdom is one of Uganda’s traditional kingdoms and the main cultural centre is Fort Portal.
Kijanangoma’s coronation therefore represents a cultural and traditional transition rather than a change in Uganda’s political leadership.
When Did This Happen?
- August 27, 2026: King Oyo Nyimba died at the age of 34.
- September 9, 2026: The Babiito succession committee selected Prince Edward Rukidi Kijanangoma.
- September 12, 2026: King Oyo was buried at the Karambi royal tombs.
- September 29, 2026: Kijanangoma was being crowned as the 13th monarch of the Batooro people in Fort Portal.
