Ugandan Broadcaster Named Heir to Tooro Throne After Boy King's Death
A Ugandan journalist has been chosen as the next king of the Tooro Kingdom, following the death of the monarch once known as the 'boy king'.
A selection committee in Uganda's Tooro Kingdom has named Edward Rukidi Kijanangoma as its crown prince, setting the stage for him to become the next monarch. Kijanangoma, a news anchor and editor at the state broadcaster, is a cousin of the late King Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV, who died last month at the age of 34 after a battle with cancer.
The announcement comes ahead of King Oyo's funeral, scheduled for Saturday in a city near the border with the Democratic Republic of Congo. Tens of thousands of mourners are expected to attend. King Oyo, who was unmarried, had ascended to the throne as an infant and was affectionately known as the 'boy king'.
The choice of Kijanangoma, a seasoned broadcaster known for his grounded demeanor, appears aimed at ensuring stability and avoiding another child monarch. However, the decision has already drawn sharp criticism from the late king's immediate family. His sister, Ruth Komuntale, expressed deep disappointment, suggesting the move could create division and turmoil. She stated that King Oyo's written will clearly identified an heir to the throne.
This claim aligns with an assertion made by Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni, who had said the late king left behind a young heir born out of wedlock. The selection committee, however, chose to look past that claim in favour of Kijanangoma. The decision could still face a legal challenge from those who feel the late king's wishes were ignored.
King Oyo was coronated in 1995 at just three years old, following his father's death. His coronation involved traditional rituals, including tossing nine coffee beans into his father's tomb. He was guided by regents until he reached adulthood at 18. During his reign, he was a figure of fascination, meeting world leaders like Nelson Mandela and receiving support from Libya's Moammar Gadhafi.
The Tooro Kingdom is one of five traditional monarchies in Uganda. While these institutions hold no formal political power and are barred from partisan politics, they remain influential as custodians of tribal culture. The kingdoms were abolished after independence but were restored in 1993.