Musuuga Confirms Prince Edward Kijanangoma As New Tooro King At Oyo’s Funeral

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In a dramatic climax to the nine-day mourning period, the head of the royal Babiito clan, Omujwera Musuuga Charles Kayondo Kamurasi, officially declared Prince Edward Rukidi Kijanangoma as the new Omukama of Tooro during the funeral service of the late King Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV.

Speaking before hundreds of high-profile mourners, African royalty, and government dignitaries at St. John’s Cathedral in Fort Portal City on Saturday, Musuuga confirmed that the royal council had elected the UBC TV news anchor, who will assume the regnal name Edward Rukidi Nyabongo I.

“I wish to inform Tooro and Uganda at large that Tooro has a new king. The council of the Babiito sat and elected Edward Rukidi Nyabongo I,” Musuuga decreed to the congregation, addressing the lingering succession questions that had hung over the kingdom since King Oyo’s passing on August 27.

“Whatever we’ve done is in accordance with Ugandan law, and we have put our Tooro culture and norms into consideration. Let’s all maintain unity and always remember our culture. God is there,” he added.

Tears and Emotional Farewells

The pronouncement followed days of friction after members of King Oyo’s immediate family initially disputed the clan council’s selection, asserting that the late monarch had left a written will naming a hitherto undisclosed biological son as his heir.

However, the completion of cultural rituals required a recognized heir to participate in the burial rites at the Karambi Royal Mausoleum later in the afternoon.

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Addressing the congregation, an emotional Musuuga broke down in tears as he bade farewell to the 34-year-old monarch, recalling a long-standing promise he had made to King Oyo’s father, the late Omukama Patrick David Matthew Kaboyo Olimi III.

“Amaata gatikire, enkuuba etutiire (milk has poured, lightning has struck),” Musuuga lamented in Runyoro-Tooro. “When I see your body here, I remember your father who told me that he wished that I be a great man and guide his children including King Oyo. I believe I’ve served that duty to the kingdom subjects. Rest well with your father and long live Tooro Kingdom.”

Musuuga also commended Queen Mother Best Kemigisa for her unwavering care during King Oyo’s battle with illness, praising her for standing by her son’s bedside throughout his medical treatments in the United States.

Royal Family Keeps Off Dispute; Museveni Appeals for Unity

Despite the previous family statements rejecting the clan’s choice, both Queen Mother Best Kemigisa and King Oyo’s sister, Princess Ruth Komuntale, chose not to address the succession controversy during their tributes at the cathedral.

Instead, Princess Komuntale remembered her brother as “a person beyond the crown,” focusing her remarks entirely on family love, peace, and spiritual strength.

Representing President Yoweri Museveni at the service, Deputy Speaker of Parliament Thomas Tayebwa delivered the President’s message, urging the Batooro people to resolve any remaining administrative or royal grievances through peaceful and lawful channels.

“When the issue of the new king of the Batooro is solved, we shall be happy to work with the king as we did with His Highness Oyo,” President Museveni stated in his message. “I appeal to the Batooro to use peaceful and legal means to solve this matter and also look for maximum unity instead of division.”

Museveni emphasized that traditional institutions restored in 1993 exist to preserve heritage, language, and cultural identity rather than political administration.

With national authorities and clan elders aligning behind the transition, King Oyo was returned to the earth at Karambi Royal Tombs, clearing the path for King Edward Rukidi Nyabongo I to commence his traditional enthronement rites.