Prince Rukidi Edward Kijanangoma has rejected ascension to the throne of a Western uganda Tooro Kingdom.
His decision to turn down the throne has further stirred up confusion in transition following the death of King Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru IV.
“With profound humility, I respectfully decline to ascend the throne of Tooro. Out of respect for our late king and the will he expressed for our kingdom, I believe his wishes must be honoured,” he said via platform X.
“The throne is sacred, the will of our fallen King must remain respected,” He said hours after he had been announced ruler of Tooro Kingdom,” Kijanangoma added.
Who is Kijanangoma?
He is the son of the late Prince Christopher Paul Kijanangoma and the grandson of Omukama George David Rukidi III, making him a cousin to the late King Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV.
The Babiito clan succession committee announced his selection at the Karuziika Palace following the passing of King Oyo on August 27, 2026.
However,late King Oyo’s close family, including the Queen Mother Best Kemigisa and his sister Princess Ruth Komuntale, have publicly rejected the succession choice, leading to a tense internal royal rift.
How Toro King is Chosen
Although the late king left a will to be replaced by his own son (not yet made public)
It should be noted that authority is the Babiito clan, not a will.
Therefore succession is a cultural right under the Office of Musuuga (Omujwera Musuuga) and the Babiito royal clan. They formed a 21-member Royal Succession Committee on August 28, 2 days after King Oyo died in the US on Aug 27.
The throne is revealed through ritual, not a press release. The Babiito have said the new King will NOT be announced via press conference or radio, but through rituals.
The prince who crosses Omusanga (the space in front of Karuziika palace) during the rituals will be identified as the new King. Other rituals include placing nine coffee beans in the grave (Iziba).
Biological sons are preferred, but must be verified. The tradition is to look first for biological children of the deceased King.
If there is no suitable heir, they go to the wider Babiito clan through a ceremonial mock battle. Queen Mother Best Kemigisa said King Oyo left a son, but the Babiito demanded the child be presented and verified before succession.
Old wills can still be used as a guide. For example, King George Rukidi III’s will said: Patrick Kaboyo should succeed, then if he dies George Desmond Mugenyi, then Christopher Kiijanangoma, then Stephen Karamagi.
That is why on Sept 4, 2026 the committee reportedly voted 15/18 for George Desmond Kamurasi, son of Mugenyi, saying he was second in line per Rukidi III’s will.
If a King is crowned who was not in the deceased King’s will:
Under Toro custom, it can still be legitimate if the Babiito followed the rituals and the committee process.
Under Ugandan law, it can be challenged under Section 15 of the Institution of Traditional or Cultural Leaders Act 2011, which is the official process for disputes. Government has already said it will follow that section for Toro.
If you are from a family affected by this, the legal path is not to argue the will alone in civil court, but to petition the Babiito succession committee and then the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development for mediation under Section 15.
