Prince Edward Rukidi Kijanangoma has been chosen as the next Omukama of Tooro Kingdom, just days after the death of King Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV, but the decision has already sparked disagreement within the royal family.
Kijanangoma was announced as the new king on Wednesday evening, September 9, following a meeting of leaders of the Babiito clan at Karuziika Palace in Fort Portal.
Monsignor Isiah Mayombo announced the decision on behalf of the Ababiito clan in the presence of clan members and the 21-member succession committee that had been established to identify a successor to the late King Oyo.
According to Mayombo, the General Meeting of the Ababiito clan elected Kijanangoma to succeed King Oyo.
A resolution signed by 19 members of the succession committee said the group had conducted consultations and due diligence before selecting the new king.
The committee maintained that the authority to choose the Omukama rests with the Ababiito clan and said the process was conducted under the leadership of Omujwera Musuuga, the head of the clan.
The resolution identified Kijanangoma as the son of the late Prince Christopher Paul Kijanangoma and grandson of Omukama Sir George David Rukidi Kamurasi III, who ruled Tooro from 1929 to 1965.
Kijanangoma, who becomes the 14th Omukama of Tooro, is also a first cousin of the late King Oyo.
Before his selection, Kijanangoma worked as a news anchor and editor at Uganda Broadcasting Corporation (UBC TV). He had also previously worked for the former ORINFOR, now known as Rwanda Broadcasting Agency (RBA).
The announcement, however, was immediately challenged by some members of the royal family, who described the information as inaccurate.
Princess Ruth Komuntale, a sister of the late King Oyo, rejected Kijanangoma’s selection, arguing that her late brother had left an heir.
Speaking to the media after the announcement, Komuntale said she had participated in an earlier meeting with members of the Babiito clan where it was agreed that another meeting would be held on September 10 to discuss the succession process.
She said the issue of who would succeed King Oyo had not been raised during that meeting and that the announcement therefore came unexpectedly.
“The same people who were in the meeting didn’t give us an alert. They met behind our backs afterwards and agreed on the king.”
Komuntale said the succession process should not create divisions within the kingdom at a time when the royal family and the people of Tooro are mourning.
She also insisted that King Oyo had left an heir and said the family would consider its next steps, including consulting legal advisers.
“My brother left an heir. Tomorrow, we were to streamline everything. We might strategise and meet with our legal counsel.”
She appealed to the people of Tooro to remain calm, describing the late King Oyo as a humble leader who promoted peace and harmony.
King Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV died on August 27 at the age of 34 following an illness.
His burial is scheduled for Saturday, September 12, at the Karambi Royal Tombs.
The disagreement over his successor has now added uncertainty to the transition of leadership in Tooro Kingdom, with the Babiito clan maintaining that Kijanangoma was duly elected while members of the royal family have questioned the process.