Prince Edward Rukidi Kijanangoma, a journalist and news anchor at Uganda’s national broadcaster, Uganda Broadcasting Corporation (UBC), has been selected as the new King of the Kingdom of Tooro, following the death of the late King Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV.
Kijanangoma was announced as the successor to the late King Oyo on Wednesday, September 9, 2026, after the Tooro Kingdom’s succession planning committee met in Fort Portal, the capital of the kingdom in western Uganda.
Reports published by international media outlets, including Reuters and the Associated Press (AP), indicate that Kijanangoma is a cousin of the late King Oyo. He was already known as a journalist, news anchor and writer at Uganda Broadcasting Corporation (UBC), Uganda’s national broadcaster.
Kijanangoma is not new to journalism. UBC footage shows that he has appeared on several of the broadcaster’s news and current affairs programmes, including UBC News Tonight and UBC Lunch Time.
Kijanangoma takes over the throne following the death of Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV, who died on August 27, 2026, at the age of 34 while in the United States, where he had been receiving treatment for cancer.
King Oyo was widely known internationally after ascending to the Tooro throne in 1995 at just three years old.
He became one of the youngest monarchs in history and was recognised as the world’s youngest reigning king at the time of his coronation.
He spent more than 30 years as the cultural leader of the Tooro people and was also known for his charitable activities, particularly campaigns against HIV/AIDS. He served as a United Nations ambassador in efforts to raise awareness about the disease.
Kijanangoma has been announced as King Oyo’s successor, the succession process has sparked controversy.
Some officials within the Tooro Kingdom had previously claimed that King Oyo had left behind a child who could succeed him, although the child had never been publicly presented.
The late King Oyo’s sister, Ruth Komuntale, also criticised the decision to select Kijanangoma, claiming that Oyo had left a will identifying his successor.
This means that although Kijanangoma has been announced by the kingdom’s succession authorities, questions and disagreements remain over how the new king should have been selected.
Before Kijanangoma’s announcement, reports had circulated that George Desmond Kamurasi, a Ugandan of Tooro royal descent who lives in London, had been selected as the new king.
Kamurasi, 36, is a goalkeeper and captain of SE Dons, a football club playing in the lower tiers of English football.
Reports published by several media outlets had indicated that the 21-member succession committee had chosen Kamurasi, with some members of the committee reportedly strongly supporting his candidacy.
However, new reports published by Reuters and the Associated Press on September 9 stated that the succession committee had announced Edward Rukidi Kijanangoma as the new King of Tooro.
The latest development therefore makes it important to closely follow the succession process, particularly because conflicting reports have emerged in recent days over who would ultimately succeed the late King Oyo.
Tooro remains an influential traditional kingdom
The Kingdom of Tooro is one of Uganda’s most prominent traditional kingdoms.
Although Uganda is a republic and the King of Tooro has no political authority over the national government, the kingdom continues to play an important role in the culture, history and social life of people in the region.
Uganda’s traditional kingdoms were restored and officially recognised as cultural institutions in 1993, following years during which they had been abolished.
If formally crowned, Kijanangoma will succeed King Oyo, who had for decades been a prominent symbol of the Tooro Kingdom.
Meanwhile, preparations for the burial of the late King Oyo are continuing.
He is expected to be laid to rest on September 12, 2026, near the Tooro royal palace in Fort Portal.
The focus now remains on when Prince Edward Rukidi Kijanangoma will be formally crowned and how the ongoing questions over the rightful successor to the late King Oyo will ultimately be resolved.
Rwandatribune.rw
