Uganda’s Tooro Kingdom on September 29 crowned Edward Rukidi Kijanangoma as its new king, weeks after the death of King Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV triggered a dispute over his successor.

Kijanangoma, 56, took the royal name Edward Rukidi Nyabongo I during traditional enthronement rites at Karuziika Royal Palace in Fort Portal, following an overnight procession from Rwengoma Palace and a symbolic mock battle at the palace entrance.

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He succeeds Oyo, who died in the United States on August 27, aged 34, while receiving treatment for cancer. He was buried at the Karambi Royal Tombs in Fort Portal on September 12.

Nyabongo I was chosen by a 21-member Babiito royal clan succession committee after consultations and assessment of potential candidates. The Tooro Kingdom Supreme Council endorsed the decision on September 15.

The Ugandan government subsequently affirmed the succession, saying the customary, constitutional and statutory process had been completed. It said it was processing the formal Gazette notice recognising Nyabongo I as the new Omukama.

His coronation followed a series of traditional rituals. The royal regalia, which had been turned upside down during the mourning period, were restored to their upright positions as part of the rites.

The coronation came after weeks of disagreement over who should succeed Oyo.

Oyo’s mother, Queen Best Kemigisa, and his sister, Princess Ruth Komuntale, had objected to Kijanangoma’s selection, saying the late king had left behind a young son and a written will naming the child as his heir.

The head of the Babiito clan and traditional king-maker, Charles Kayondo Kamurasi, rejected the claim, saying the clan had followed long-standing Batooro customs in selecting Kijanangoma.

The dispute was still evident around Oyo’s burial, which took place after disagreements over the succession. The royal family largely avoided the issue during the funeral, with Queen Kemigisa and Princess Komuntale instead calling for peace and unity.

The Ugandan government had earlier called for the dispute to be resolved peacefully. At Oyo’s funeral, Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa delivered a message from President Yoweri Museveni urging the Batooro to preserve unity and resolve the matter through peaceful and legal means.

The Tooro Elders Forum backed the Babiito clan’s decision to select Kijanangoma, supporting the work of the 21-member succession committee and its recommendations.

Following his coronation, Tooro Kingdom Prime Minister Calvin Armstrong Rwomiire Akiiki congratulated Nyabongo I and described the ceremony as the beginning of a new chapter for the kingdom.

Kijanangoma, a member of the Babiito royal clan and cousin of the late King Oyo, is the son of the late Prince Christopher Paul Kijanangoma and grandson of former Tooro King Sir George David Rukidi III.

Before his selection, he worked as a news anchor and editor at Uganda Broadcasting Corporation.