In brief
When King Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV died in 2026, palace elders named UBC news anchor Prince Edward Rukidi Kijanangoma the next Omukama of Tooro. Oyo’s sister claims a secret son named in a 2022 will must be the rightful heir, leading to a battle of wills and a tense atmosphere at the royal palace. The case exposes Tooro’s unconventional succession system where a council selects a monarch, contrasting with hereditary succession in England. The conflict unfolds just before the late king’s burial, with royal guards held at bay, revealing deep divisions within Uganda’s cultural leadership. The incident highlights how modern media figures can step into traditional roles and create unexpected cliques of power.
In a surprising turn for Uganda’s Tooro Kingdom, the council of royal elders selected the popular UBC news presenter Prince Edward Rukidi Kijanangoma as the new Omukama after the death of King Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV at the age of 34. The decision was made at a press conference in Fort Portal on the eve of the late king’s burial.
Oyo’s sister, Princess Ruth Komuntale, counters that a will written in 2022 appointed a young, unnamed son as the king’s heir. She insists the family’s wishes must be honored and has called out what she calls “confusion and turmoil” caused by the announcement.
Royal guards have withdrawn from the palace and soldiers have been deployed, effectively putting the royal family under a form of house arrest. The mother, Queen Best Kemigisa, has appealed to the army and President Yoweri Museveni to allow a peaceful burial while the family mourns outside a looming dispute.
Unlike the line of succession that many traditions follow, Tooro’s monarch is chosen from the Babiito clan. The council emphasised that they had performed thorough consultations before naming Kijanangoma and that 19 members signed the resolution. A prince from the UK, George Desmond Kamurasi, was considered but declined.
The case is a stark reminder that in tooro, the role of monarch carries social influence more than formal political power, and the clash over succession shows how modern recognisers like a TV anchor can unexpectedly enter a traditional arena. The community streets of Fort Portal shine with thousands of mourners awaiting the final rites for King Oyo, while the family drama unfolds behind closed doors.
