Tooro Kingdom Crowns Edward Nyabongo I as New King

FORT PORTAL, UGANDA — The Tooro Kingdom has formally enthroned Edward Rukidi Nyabongo I as the new Omukama of Tooro, bringing to an end weeks of uncertainty surrounding the succession to the late King Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV.

Nyabongo I, formerly known as Prince Edward Rukidi Kijanangoma, was crowned on Tuesday September 29, 2026 at Karuziika Royal Palace in Fort Portal, becoming the new traditional leader of the Batooro.

His enthronement follows the death of King Oyo on August 27, 2026, at the age of 34 while receiving medical treatment in the United States. King Oyo, who became monarch at the age of three in 1995, had reigned for more than three decades.

Succession Process

The succession process was conducted through the recognized traditional institutions of the kingdom.

According to the Uganda Media Centre, the Babiito Royal Clan selected Prince Edward Rukidi Kijanangoma on September 9, 2026. The selection was subsequently presented to and endorsed by the Rukurato Rw’Obukama Bwa Tooro, the kingdom’s Supreme Council that constitutes of 21 committee members which met on September 15.

The government later affirmed that the customary and statutory procedures for the transition had been followed and announced that the formal recognition of the new king was being processed through the Uganda Gazette.

Succession Dispute

The transition was preceded by a public dispute within the royal family over who should succeed King Oyo.

King Oyo’s mother, Queen Best Kemigisa, and his sister, Princess Ruth Komuntale, raised objections to the succession process and maintained that the late king had left behind a young son who was identified in a reported will as his heir.

The head of the Babiito Royal Clan, however, said the alleged heir was not recognised by the clan and maintained that the succession of Nyabongo I followed established Batooro customs.

The Attorney General had earlier stated that questions concerning the validity of any alleged will could be addressed through the appropriate legal and traditional processes. With no formal court appeal registered, preparations for the coronation proceeded.

A New Chapter for Tooro

The coronation featured a series of traditional rituals and ceremonies, including a symbolic night procession to Karuziika Palace, traditional dances and other cultural rites associated with the installation of a Tooro monarch.

Nyabongo I’s background is also notable. Before assuming the throne, he worked as a television journalist and news anchor, including at Uganda Broadcasting Corporation.

In his first public remarks as monarch, Nyabongo I emphasised the importance of protecting Tooro’s cultural heritage and the environment.

Tooro Kingdom is one of Uganda’s traditional institutions recognised under the Constitution. While traditional kingdoms do not exercise political power, they continue to play an important cultural and heritage role among their communities.

The new reign now begins against the backdrop of the loss of King Oyo and a succession process that attracted considerable public attention.

For the people of Tooro, the enthronement marks a new chapter for the kingdom, with attention expected to turn towards cultural continuity, unity and the preservation of Tooro’s heritage under its new monarch.

WESPA Media will continue to follow developments from Tooro Kingdom and provide updates on matters affecting communities across Western Uganda.

Tooro Kingdom Crowns Edward Nyabongo I as New King Following Succession Dispute

FORT PORTAL, UGANDA — September 29, 2026 — The Tooro Kingdom has formally enthroned Edward Rukidi Nyabongo I as the new Omukama of Tooro, bringing to an end weeks of uncertainty surrounding the succession to the late King Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV.

Nyabongo I, formerly known as Prince Edward Rukidi Kijanangoma, was crowned on Tuesday September 29, 2026 at Karuziika Royal Palace in Fort Portal, becoming the new traditional leader of the Batooro.

His enthronement follows the death of King Oyo on August 27, 2026, at the age of 34 while receiving medical treatment in the United States. King Oyo, who became monarch at the age of three in 1995, had reigned for more than three decades.

Succession Process

The succession process was conducted through the recognized traditional institutions of the kingdom.

According to the Uganda Media Centre, the Babiito Royal Clan selected Prince Edward Rukidi Kijanangoma on September 9, 2026. The selection was subsequently presented to and endorsed by the Rukurato Rw’Obukama Bwa Tooro, the kingdom’s Supreme Council that constitutes of 21 committee members which met on September 15.

The government later affirmed that the customary and statutory procedures for the transition had been followed and announced that the formal recognition of the new king was being processed through the Uganda Gazette.

Succession Dispute

The transition was preceded by a public dispute within the royal family over who should succeed King Oyo.

King Oyo’s mother, Queen Best Kemigisa, and his sister, Princess Ruth Komuntale, raised objections to the succession process and maintained that the late king had left behind a young son who was identified in a reported will as his heir.

The head of the Babiito Royal Clan, however, said the alleged heir was not recognised by the clan and maintained that the succession of Nyabongo I followed established Batooro customs.

The Attorney General had earlier stated that questions concerning the validity of any alleged will could be addressed through the appropriate legal and traditional processes. With no formal court appeal registered, preparations for the coronation proceeded.

A New Chapter for Tooro

The coronation featured a series of traditional rituals and ceremonies, including a symbolic night procession to Karuziika Palace, traditional dances and other cultural rites associated with the installation of a Tooro monarch.

Nyabongo I’s background is also notable. Before assuming the throne, he worked as a television journalist and news anchor, including at Uganda Broadcasting Corporation.

In his first public remarks as monarch, Nyabongo I emphasised the importance of protecting Tooro’s cultural heritage and the environment.

Tooro Kingdom is one of Uganda’s traditional institutions recognised under the Constitution. While traditional kingdoms do not exercise political power, they continue to play an important cultural and heritage role among their communities.

The new reign now begins against the backdrop of the loss of King Oyo and a succession process that attracted considerable public attention.

For the people of Tooro, the enthronement marks a new chapter for the kingdom, with attention expected to turn towards cultural continuity, unity and the preservation of Tooro’s heritage under its new monarch.

WESPA Media will continue to follow developments from Tooro Kingdom and provide updates on matters affecting communities across Western Uganda.