Tooro coronation: Edward Rukidi Nyabongo I takes throne amid legal challenge

The coronation of Edward Rukidi Nyabongo I as the 13th Omukama of Tooro is underway in Fort Portal, Uganda, amid a last-minute legal challenge seeking to stop his installation.

Thousands of people gathered at Karuziika Palace on Tuesday, September 29, for the historic ceremony attended by cultural leaders, government officials, members of the royal family and subjects from across Tooro and beyond.

President Yoweri Museveni is expected to attend the ceremony as chief guest.

Nyabongo, formerly Prince Edward Rukidi Kijanangoma, was selected by the Babiito Royal Clan as successor to the late Omukama Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV, who died on August 27 aged 34.

His selection was endorsed by the Rukurato Rw’Obukama, the supreme council of the Tooro Kingdom, on September 15, after which he assumed the royal name Edward Rukidi Nyabongo I.

But his coronation has been clouded by a legal challenge filed at the Fort Portal High Court on Monday, just a day before the ceremony.

Two Batooro, Derick Alitugabira and Juliet Kangume, together with civil society organisation Walezi Wa Katiba, petitioned the court seeking to halt the installation pending the determination of their main case.

Through their lawyers, the petitioners asked the court to issue an interim order stopping the coronation, arguing that the succession process did not reflect what they claim were the wishes of the late King Oyo.

They allege that Oyo left a Will naming his preferred successor and providing for succession by a cousin if his son was unavailable.

The petitioners have also questioned the alleged existence of a son of the late king and named former Queen Mother Best Kemigisa among the respondents.

The Tooro Kingdom has nevertheless proceeded with the coronation, maintaining that Nyabongo was selected through the recognised traditional succession process.

The day’s programme includes a church blessing at St John’s Cathedral before the formal coronation at Karuziika Palace, where the new Omukama is expected to receive the royal crown.

The coronation follows traditional rites that began on Monday evening, including a procession from Rwengoma Palace towards Karuziika Palace. Thousands took part in the procession, carrying torches made from reeds as part of ceremonies marking the transition of power.

Nyabongo now takes over the throne following the death of King Oyo, who became Omukama as a child and went on to become one of Uganda’s most prominent cultural leaders.