Tooro Kingdom has announced September 29, 2026, as the date for the coronation of Prince Edward Rukidi Kijanangoma Nyabongo I as the new Omukama of Tooro.
The announcement was made on Tuesday by the head of the Babiito clan, Omusuuga Charles Kayondo Kamurasi Akiiki, while addressing journalists at Karuzika Royal Palace in Fort Portal.
Kamurasi said the decision followed a meeting of the Kingdom’s Supreme Council, Orukurato, which endorsed the Babiito clan’s decision to name Prince Edward as the successor to the late King Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV.
“I want to inform you that the Orukurato has decided that the coronation of our new King Edward Rukidi Nyabongo I will take place on 29 September 2026,” Kamurasi announced.
He said preparations for the coronation would begin immediately, with committees expected to start work on Wednesday.
“Our ceremonies to inaugurate him will begin on 29th September 2026. Orukurato has welcomed the statement from the Babiito clan, which met under the chairmanship of Omusuuga, and straight away the Orukurato confirmed and endorsed the new Omukama-to-be, and he is going to be Omukama Nyabongo I,” he said.
Kamurasi called on all sections of the Tooro community involved in the preparations to begin work ahead of the ceremony.
“We are going to start with the committees from tomorrow. All the people of Tooro who want to know about the coronation of the new king are free to come to the palace, and tomorrow we begin in full swing,” he said.
According to Kamurasi, the coronation will involve a series of traditional rituals, beginning with the King’s arrival through Mugavante, where a mock battle will be conducted as part of the installation ceremonies.
“The rituals will start on 29th, the day when the king will come from where he is. He will come through Mugavante, where a number of rituals will be performed, and where there will be a mock battle,” he said.
He explained that the King is expected to win the mock battle before gaining access to the palace.
“The king will be expected to win that battle so that he accesses the palace. The moment he enters the palace, he will undergo a number of rituals, and from there, Omukama will be declared the winner of that battle, and of course, even Empango will be sounded,” Kamurasi said.
Kamurasi also said the Kingdom had not received any communication from the government stopping it from proceeding with the traditional installation ceremonies.
“But as far as we are concerned, we have not heard any communication from government barring us from going ahead with our thorough norms and traditions to install the king,” he said.
The Orukurato convened at Mucwa, the Kingdom’s headquarters, to receive the official announcement from Chief Prince (Omusuuga) Charles Kayondo Kamurasi Akiiki regarding the new King, in accordance with Tooro’s traditional succession requirements.
During the meeting, Kamurasi also informed the Supreme Council that the keys to the royal palace were missing.
Prince Edward Rukidi Kijanangoma Nyabongo I previously worked as a journalist and news anchor at Uganda Broadcasting Corporation (UBC).
His selection as the new King followed the death of King Oyo, who died in the United States on August 27, 2026.
The Babiito clan subsequently selected Prince Edward Kijanangoma as the new Omukama, amid a succession dispute involving members of the royal family.
