A traditional monarchy in Uganda’s Tooro Kingdom has crowned a new king following the death of its previous ruler, sparking debate within the royal family and the local community. On Tuesday, Edward Rugidi Kijanangoma, a journalist and television news presenter with Uganda Broadcasting Corporation, was officially installed as the 13th monarch of the Batooro people. He took the regnal name Edward Rukidi Nyabongo and was formally presented to his followers during a ceremony in Fort Portal, attended by thousands both in person and via televised broadcasts.

The coronation marked the resolution of a recent succession dispute that emerged after the passing of King Oyo Nyimba, the late ruler of Tooro, last month in the United States, where he had been undergoing cancer treatment. King Oyo gained international recognition as the world’s youngest monarch when he ascended to the throne in 1995 at the age of three. He ruled the kingdom of roughly 800,000 people for 31 years.

Despite Uganda being a constitutional republic, several traditional kingdoms like Tooro continue to play significant cultural and social roles in their communities. Although these monarchs do not have formal political authority and are legally barred from partisan politics, they serve as important custodians of cultural heritage. The Tooro Kingdom was officially restored in 1993 after traditional monarchies were banned following Uganda’s independence in the 1960s.

The succession process has not been without controversy. Princess Ruth Komuntale, King Oyo’s sister, expressed disagreement with the installation of Kijanangoma, citing that the late king had named his young son as heir prior to his death. However, King Oyo’s alleged son has not been publicly acknowledged or recognized by the kingdom’s clans, leaving questions about the legitimacy of the claim.

Reports had also suggested that George Desmond Kamurasi, a football club captain based in southeast London, was a contender for the throne. Nevertheless, according to the succession committee, Kamurasi declined the offer, citing other responsibilities.

The ceremonial rites accompanying the coronation included traditional practices such as the slaughtering of a bull and the sprinkling of hen’s blood, underscoring the cultural significance of the event to the Batooro people. While the kingship no longer carries formal governmental power, it remains a deeply revered institution within the community.