By Ben Musanje
The Tooro Kingdom has named Prince Edward Rukidi Kijanangoma as the successor to the late Omukama Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV, marking a remarkable transition for a man widely known to Ugandans as a familiar face on television.
Kijanangoma was formally declared the next Omukama of Tooro on Wednesday, September 9, 2026, at the Karuziika Palace in Fort Portal by the leadership of the royal Babiito Clan, following his selection by the kingdom’s succession committee.
The announcement comes less than two weeks after the death of Omukama Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV, who died on August 27 at the age of 34.
From UBC newsroom to the royal palace
Before his appointment to the throne, Prince Edward Kijanangoma had built a career in broadcast journalism.
He served as a news anchor and senior news editor at Uganda Broadcasting Corporation (UBC TV), becoming a familiar face to audiences across the country through primetime news bulletins, including UBC News Tonight.
His move from the newsroom to the Tooro throne now represents a striking new chapter in his public life.
Kijanangoma was born into the Tooro royal family. He is the son of the late Prince Christopher Paul Kijanangoma and a grandson of the late Omukama Sir George David Kamurasi Rukidi III.
Chosen to succeed his cousin
Following the death of Omukama Oyo, the Babiito Clan succession committee began the process of identifying his successor.
Kijanangoma, a member of the royal family, was ultimately selected to take over the cultural leadership of the Tooro Kingdom.
His formal declaration at Karuziika Palace now clears the way for the traditional rituals and ceremonies required before he assumes the full role of Omukama.
He will become the kingdom’s new cultural leader at a time when Tooro is still mourning the loss of the young monarch who had occupied the throne since 1995.
A new chapter for Tooro
Kijanangoma’s appointment has generated considerable interest in Uganda, particularly because of his unusual journey from television journalism to traditional royalty.
For years, he was known for delivering the evening news to Ugandan households. He will now take on a very different public responsibility as the custodian of Tooro’s cultural institution and traditions.
Kijanangoma married Rebecca Amoding in December 2018 in a ceremony held at Watoto Church.
His immediate next step will be the traditional coronation process, through which he will be formally installed as the reigning Omukama of Tooro in accordance with the kingdom’s customs.
As Tooro prepares to bid farewell to the late Oyo, who is due to be laid to rest on Saturday, the kingdom is simultaneously preparing for the beginning of a new reign. From the UBC newsroom to the Tooro throne, Edward Rukidi Kijanangoma is set to begin a new chapter in the history of the kingdom. (For comments on this story, get back to us on 0705579994 [WhatsApp line], 0779411734 & 041 4674611 or email us at mulengeranews@gmail.com).
