Prince Edward Rukidi Kijanangoma Nyabongo I, 56, is set to be crowned king of Tooro, one of four recognized historical kingdoms in Uganda. His ascension follows the death of King Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV last month, who had ruled the kingdom for the past 31 years.

The selection of Kijanangoma, however, was not straightforward. Traditionally, the successor must be a recognized son of the late king. While close royal family members indicated that King Oyo had a young son and left a will designating this child as his heir, this alleged son's identity was never publicly disclosed. Furthermore, he was not recognized by the 21-member Babiito clan council, the body authorized to choose the king.

Prince Edward Rukidi Kijanangoma Nyabongo I performs pre-coronation rituals in Uganda on 28/9. *Reuters*

King Oyo had never held a public wedding, and information about his wife and son remained scarce. Despite this, his mother, Queen Mother Best Kemigisa, maintained that the late king's will should be honored. However, the royal succession council disregarded her wishes, asserting that their selection process adhered to the customs and traditions of the Tooro Kingdom.

Queen Mother Kemigisa expressed concern for the late King Oyo's son, who resides in Texas, US. She stated that he should have returned to Uganda but could not due to the intense succession dispute. "No child deserves to return home only to face hostility and conflict", Kemigisa said.

Prince Kijanangoma is a cousin to the late King Oyo. Both are grandsons of Rukidi III, the 11th king who reigned over the Tooro Kingdom from 1928-1965. Before Kijanangoma's selection, Prince George Desmond Kamurasi, a footballer for the South East Dons club in England, had declined an invitation to take the throne.

Prince Edward Rukidi Kijanangoma Nyabongo I during his time as an editor. *UBC Uganda*

Prior to his royal role, Prince Kijanangoma was widely known in Uganda not as an heir, but as a veteran journalist and editor at the national radio and television station. Upon his official announcement as the heir, Kijanangoma pledged to open the palace to the public and emphasized his commitment to unity and development.

"I only want to ask you one thing: even though I am given the title of king, I cannot work alone, I need you to accompany me", he said.

Traditional kings in Uganda do not hold formal political power. However, they retain significant cultural influence and command strong loyalty from their communities.

King Oyo ascended the throne in 1995 at the age of three after his father's passing. He was once recognized as the world's youngest monarch and ruled until his death from cancer last month at 34 years old.

Ngoc Anh (According to BBC, Reuters)