FORT PORTAL — The Tooro Kingdom has set September 29, 2026, for the coronation of Prince Edward Rukidi Kijanangoma as the new Omukama, following his endorsement by the kingdom’s Supreme Council.
The council unanimously approved the decision during a sitting at Muchwa Kingdom Headquarters in Fort Portal City on Tuesday, clearing a key stage in the succession process following the death of Omukama Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV.
Prince Edward will be crowned Omukama Edward Rukidi Nyabongo I at Karuziika Royal Palace, the traditional seat of the Tooro monarchy.
The endorsement followed a formal presentation by Omujwera Musuuga Charles Kamurasi, head of the Babiito Royal Clan.
Mr Kamurasi told the council that a 21-member succession committee of the Babiito Royal Clan had selected Prince Edward to succeed King Oyo.
The Supreme Council subsequently adopted a resolution endorsing the clan’s decision, with members signing their approval for the prince to ascend the throne.
“The Supreme Council has endorsed the decision of the Babiito Royal Clan, and preparations for the coronation will now proceed,” Mr Kamurasi said.
Preparations for the September 29 ceremony are already under way, with cultural leaders, government officials, religious leaders and members of the Babiito Royal Clan expected to attend.
The coronation will be one of the kingdom’s major cultural events since the death of King Oyo on August 27, aged 34, while undergoing cancer treatment in the United States.
King Oyo was crowned in 1995 at the age of three following the death of his father, Omukama Patrick Matthew David Kaboyo Olimi III.
He became the world’s youngest reigning monarch at the time.
During his 31-year reign, King Oyo was associated with initiatives in youth empowerment, education, health, HIV and Aids awareness, environmental conservation and tourism.
Prince Edward, a cousin of the late king, previously worked in journalism as a news anchor and editor at Uganda Broadcasting Corporation before his selection as king-elect.
His selection was announced by the Babiito Royal Clan during a royal gathering at Karuziika Palace.
The clan said the process followed Tooro customs under which it is responsible for identifying the person to succeed the Omukama.
The Supreme Council’s endorsement has now formally advanced the succession process towards the coronation.
The transition has, however, been accompanied by a dispute within the royal family.
Queen Mother Best Kemigisa and Princess Ruth Komuntale have challenged the succession process, arguing that King Oyo left a will naming his biological son as the rightful heir to the throne.
The alleged son has not been publicly identified, and no official confirmation of the purported will has been made public.
The Babiito Royal Clan has rejected the claims and maintained that the succession process followed established Tooro traditions.
The dispute has added another dimension to the transition as the kingdom prepares for the coronation
The government has also taken an interest in the succession process.
President Yoweri Museveni previously directed authorities to work with kingdom leaders to ensure the transition is handled peacefully and in accordance with the law and cultural customs.
With the Supreme Council now having endorsed the king-elect, attention turns to the September 29 coronation and the kingdom’s next phase under Omukama Edward Rukidi Nyabongo I.