Prince Edward Rukidi Kijanangoma (3rd R), the king designate with other elders
HABARI DAILY I Kampala, Uganda I Tooro’s new king designate, Prince Edward Rukidi Kijanangoma, has vowed to emulate Buganda Kingdom, and offer scholarships to his subjects, as he prepares to take over the leadership of a kingdom still mourning the death of King Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV and facing divisions over his succession.
Kijanangoma, 56, was selected on September 9 by the 21-member succession committee of the Babiito royal clan, following the reported decision by Prince George Desmond Kamurasi to decline the throne.
His selection marked a major milestone in the succession process, but it has not brought the contest over the throne to an end. The new king designate now faces the delicate task of securing acceptance among members of the royal family, uniting the kingdom and preparing for a formal enthronement in accordance with Tooro’s customs and traditions.
Waiting for formal enthronement
Although Kijanangoma has emerged as the choice of the Babiito succession committee, he is yet to become Omukama in the full ceremonial sense.
His selection must be followed by a formal enthronement and coronation ceremony, which is expected to be guided by the traditions and customs of the Tooro Kingdom.
The period between selection and enthronement could therefore prove crucial as royal elders work to consolidate the succession process and address disagreements that have emerged within the royal family.
Kijanangoma himself acknowledged that his emergence was unexpected, saying he was not initially the preferred candidate.
“I was not the first choice, but when the committee reached out to Prince Kamurasi, he said he was not able to take on the role, for his reasons,” he said.
“There was some pushing and shoving, and the baton came to me. I think this was God’s doing, not me.”
His remarks underline the unusual circumstances surrounding his selection after the death of King Oyo on August 27, 2026, following more than three decades on the throne.
Succession dispute remains
Kijanangoma’s biggest immediate challenge is likely to be healing divisions that have emerged during the succession process.
Two prominent princes, Patrick Mpuuga and Solomon Nyaika, have publicly rejected the selection, despite their father, Omusuuga Charles Kamurasi, endorsing Kijanangoma.
The two princes have reportedly argued that their father was misled by self-seeking elders into supporting Kijanangoma.
The disagreement means Kijanangoma could inherit not only a crown but also a divided royal family, making reconciliation one of the most important tests of his leadership.
In his first address to selected elders, the king designate recognised the disagreements that characterised both the death and burial of King Oyo and the subsequent succession process.
“People have fought and done a lot, but God was involved,” he said, urging the kingdom to pursue unity.
He promised to reach out to the Babiito royal clan and other clans across Tooro as part of efforts to rebuild unity.
Unity at the centre of his agenda
Kijanangoma has placed unity at the centre of his proposed reign, pointing to Buganda Kingdom as an example of what a united traditional institution can achieve.
“We often hear about the great things that have been accomplished by the Buganda Kingdom; they are united. Unity will drive us to the heights that were thought impossible,” he said.
For Kijanangoma, unity is not simply a cultural obligation but a foundation for development.
He intends to build partnerships inside and outside Uganda to support programmes benefiting Batooro, drawing on relationships he established during his career in the media.
The king designate spent 21 years in the media industry, including working as a news anchor and editor at Uganda Broadcasting Corporation. He says his professional exposure has given him contacts that can now be deployed in the service of the kingdom.
“I have been exposed to many people in Uganda and abroad. I will use that exposure to see that we get some friends to support our kingdom,” he said.
Education and scholarships
Education is emerging as one of the defining priorities of Kijanangoma’s proposed administration. He said the kingdom would seek partnerships with organisations and individuals in Uganda and abroad to establish programmes that directly benefit Batooro.
He specifically cited Buganda’s investment in education as a model Tooro could emulate.
Scholarships, he said, would be central to the initiative, particularly for academically gifted children whose families cannot afford university tuition.
“We shall find some scholarships. I assure you we have people who can support us,” Kijanangoma said.
He noted that many bright students complete Senior Six but fail to proceed to university because their families cannot meet the cost of higher education.
“I know that the late king had some scholarship projects, but we shall add more. Our children will go to school and come back and work for their kingdom,” he said.
The pledge gives Kijanangoma a clear development agenda, but delivering it will require substantial resources and partnerships.
Carrying forward King Oyo’s legacy
Another major milestone will be maintaining the projects initiated by King Oyo while establishing his own identity as monarch.
Kijanangoma has promised not to abandon the programmes associated with his predecessor, saying the late king’s achievements should continue despite his death.
“The late King Oyo had accomplished a lot of good things. All his great projects will not stop because he is not here. We shall take them on and develop them,” he said.
This could provide continuity at a time when the kingdom needs stability, while allowing the new monarch to introduce additional programmes in education and development.
From newsroom to royal palace
Kijanangoma must also undergo a profound personal transition. For more than two decades, he operated in the highly public world of journalism, where his role involved reporting events and interacting with audiences. As Omukama, he will be expected to occupy a different role—one defined by cultural authority, symbolism, tradition and a degree of royal privacy.
His media background, however, could become an advantage. The networks and relationships built during his career could help him mobilise partners and promote Tooro’s interests both nationally and internationally.
