The head of Uganda's royal Babiito clan, Charles Kamuraisi, has proclaimed Prince Edward Rukidi Kijanangoma the new king of Toro, a traditional kingdom in western Uganda. Pulse Uganda reported the announcement.
The new monarch has taken the throne name Edward Rukidi Nabongo I. His formal presentation as heir took place in the city of Fort Portal during a farewell ceremony for the late king, Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV, who died recently.
Kijanangoma, a cousin of the late king, previously worked as a television presenter and editor at the Uganda Broadcasting Corporation, the country's state broadcaster. His appointment was approved by a 21-member committee formed by the Babiito clan.
Succession dispute
The succession decision is being contested by the late king's mother, sister and aunt. They claim Oyo left a will stating the throne should pass to his illegitimate son. The public knew nothing of the boy before the king's death, since the king had never married.
Representatives of the Babiito clan say the alleged heir has not undergone the recognition procedure required under Toro tradition.
Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni called on the parties to settle their differences peacefully and lawfully. In a statement, the head of state said that once the question of the new king of the Toro people is resolved, the government is ready to work with the new king just as it worked with His Highness Oyo.
Death of King Oyo
Oyo Nyimba died in late August in the United States, where he had been undergoing treatment for cancer. He was 34. He ascended the throne in 1995 at the age of three, making him the youngest reigning monarch in the world at the time. His funeral was held on September 12, the 31st anniversary of his coronation.
Uganda's traditional kingdoms
Uganda officially recognizes several traditional kingdoms, including Toro, Buganda, Bunyoro and Busoga. These kingdoms hold no formal state or political power, but their monarchs retain considerable cultural and social influence among their communities.
