By Aggrey Baba
The Government of Uganda has formally recognized the succession process that produced Prince Edward Rukidi Nyabongo I as the new Omukama of Tooro, with the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development now processing his official declaration in the Uganda Gazette ahead of his September 29 coronation.
The development was announced at the Uganda Media Centre in Kampala on Thursday, indicating a major setback to competing claims over who should succeed the late King Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV, particularly claims surrounding an alleged son of the late King and the position of Queen Mother Best Kemigisa.
Minister of State for Gender, Labour and Social Development in charge of Gender and Culture, Hon. Mary Kuteesa Kamuli, who addressed the media alongside Omusuga Charles Kayondo Kamurasi, head of the Babiito royal clan, said the succession process had been completed through Tooro’s recognized traditional institutions.
Kamuli said the Babiito clan selected Prince Edward Rukidi Kijanangoma on September 9, 2026, at Karuziika Palace in Fort Portal City, after which the prince was presented to and endorsed by the Rukurato lwa Bukama bwa Tooro, the supreme council of the kingdom.
The Rukurato subsequently convened at its chambers in Butiika on September 15, with government receiving the resolutions of both the succession committee and the supreme council in support of the former UBC news anchor’s succession.
“Following the completion of the succession process, Prince Edward Rukidi Kijanangoma was formally affirmed as the successor of the Omukama wa Toro,” Kamuli said, adding that he had assumed the official name and title of His Majesty Edward Rukidi Nyabongo I, the king Toro.
More importantly, the minister disclosed that Tooro has already formally asked her ministry, which is responsible for cultural institutions, to declare and publish him as Omukama of Tooro in the Uganda Gazette.
Kamuli said the ministry is processing the Gazette in accordance with Section 5 of the Institution of Traditional and Cultural Leaders Act, 2011.
This means that the process is no longer at the level of a clan announcement alone, with the government now moving to complete the statutory step through which the new cultural leader is formally published.
The state minister’s statement is likely to further complicate any attempt by those challenging the succession to stop or reverse the coronation arrangements, particularly as the kingdom moves into the final days of preparations for the September 29 ceremony.
The Babiito leadership has already scheduled the coronation of Edward Rukidi for September 29th at Karuziika Palace in Fort Portal City, where the new king is expected to formally assume the leadership of Tooro Kingdom.
Omusuga Kamurasi, who led the delegation of Tooro royal clan leaders at Thursday’s media briefing, used the occasion to explain the succession process and reaffirm the position of the Babiito clan.
The development follows weeks of uncertainty within the kingdom, after the death of King Oyo on August 27, 2026, with competing positions emerging over the identity of the rightful replaces him.
Queen Mother Best Kemigisa and members of the late King’s family, including his elder sister Ruth Komuntale, have been associated with a different position on succession, including claims surrounding an alleged will said to have been left by Oyo.
The competing position has since raised questions about whether the late King’s wishes, if established, could influence the succession. However, Thursday’s government statement focused on the traditional succession process undertaken by the Babiito clan and endorsed by the Rukurato.
Kamuli invoked Article 246 of the Constitution, which recognizes traditional and cultural leaders in accordance with the customs, traditions, wishes and aspirations of the people to whom those institutions apply.
She said the constitutional framework is further operationalized by the Institution of Traditional and Cultural Leaders Act, under which government has a responsibility to ensure that the recognition and functioning of cultural institutions complies with the law.
“The Government of Uganda therefore affirms to the people of Uganda that a clear and orderly customary, constitutional and statutory process for the transition and formal recognition of the new Omukama wa Toro has been satisfied,” Kamuli said.
That statement effectively places government behind the succession route followed by the Babiito clan and the Rukurato, while the Gender and Culture ministry proceeds with the final statutory recognition of Edward.
Kamuli also used the briefing to appeal for calm as the kingdom approaches the coronation, urging the people of Tooro and all other stakeholders to respect the Constitution, laws of Uganda, and the customs and traditions of the kingdom.
She said government expects the September 29 ceremony to be peaceful and dignified, describing it as an important cultural event not only for Tooro but for Uganda’s wider cultural heritage and tourism sector. (For comments on this story, get back to us on 0705579994 [WhatsApp line], 0779411734 & 041 4674611 or email us at mulengeranews@gmail.com).
