FORT PORTAL, Uganda—Members of the Tooro Kingdom Royal Family, including Princess Elizabeth Bagaya and Princess Ruth Komuntale, have strongly rejected the announcement of Prince Edward Rukidi Kijanangoma as the successor to Omukama Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV.
On the evening of Tuesday, September 9, 2026, the succession committee of the Babiito Clan announced that it had elected Prince Kijanangoma to be enthroned as the successor to King Oyo.
Prince Kijanangoma is the son of the late Prince Christopher Paul Kijanangoma and grandson of Omukama Sir George David Rukidi Kamurasi 111.
https://twitter.com/mawazoblog/status/2097739683463651463
However, shortly after the announcement, Princess Komuntale said the proclamation of the new king was inaccurate.
“Clearly, the next person in line is his son. That’s the next heir to the throne. And he also left very strict instructions on any other successors who might take over just in case of a plan B,” said Princess Komuntale.
Inside Omukama Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV’s Will
The late King Oyo’s 2022 Will set out a clear line of succession to the Tooro throne. Under the Will, his son is designated as the first heir and successor to the throne. Should he be unable to assume the throne.
Princess Komuntale argued that what was mentioned today by the succession committee of the Babiito Clan was not accurate.
“I just want to really reiterate that earlier, a few hours ago, we had a meeting with General Tumukunde. In that meeting, Masuka and Charles Kamurasi were also in that meeting with the other Babiito, who were also outside in another meeting, which we don’t even know what that was about. They were all here literally in this setting. We had a very good, constructive meeting,” she added.
https://twitter.com/kookiepro_/status/2097770339182723151
The princess said that during the meeting, they went over the will, and it was the plan to actually meet again tomorrow with some lawyers to go over the will one more time before the next successor is proclaimed and is mentioned.
“So what happened today honestly really took us by surprise. We have no idea that it was going to happen. We are very confused, but I just wanted to tell you, as my late brother’s sister, that that information is incorrect, because my brother never left those instructions at all,” lamented the princess.
The Tooro Kingdom Royal Family at crossroads over new monarch
In her own words, Princess Komuntale went on:
“So we just want to refute all that information, and, unfortunately, we have not even buried my brother yet, and they’re bringing all this confusion and all this turmoil, and we can’t even mourn my brother in peace,” said Princess Komuntale.
https://twitter.com/MordecaiMuriisa/status/2097767721064710313
Princess Elizabeth Bagaya has backed Princess Komuntale’s rejection of Kijanangoma as the new King of Tooro, saying that it is a ‘tragic’ moment for the royal family.
“She has all my authority, all my support. This is a tragic time, but you have my support. You have all my love, everything. So I pray to you, please look at her first and foremost. This girl, first and foremost. Nobody else has the authority of the—her brother. So I thank you all for your love, and I pray for you. Thank you very much,” Princess Bagaya said.
Members of the Succession Committee were elected by the general meeting of the Babiito clan to elect the suitable candidate for the throne of Tooro upon the demise of King Oyo.
The succession committee of the Babiito Clan makes their stand known
Msgr Isiah Mayombo, who read the announcement on behalf of Babiito at the Karuziika Palace, said the group was aware that the authority to elect the King of Toro lies with them and, sitting together with and under the leadership of Omukama Rukidi Musuga, head of the Babiito clan, and having undertaken due diligence, consultation, and adequate consideration, had reached the decision.
“On this September 8, 2026, we resolve that Prince Edward Rukidi Kijanangoma be enthroned as the Omukama of Tooro in accordance with the traditions and customs of the Tooro Kingdom to succeed the late Omukama Oyo-Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV,” said Mayombo.
Before ascending to the throne, Prince Kijanangomahe built a successful professional career in broadcast journalism, serving as a prominent news anchor and senior news editor at the national broadcaster, Uganda Broadcasting Corporation (UBC TV).
He became a familiar household face across Uganda, regularly anchoring primetime television bulletins, including UBC News Tonight. He married Rebecca Amoding in December 2018 during a ceremony held at Watoto Church.
https://twitter.com/ObukamaBwaTooro/status/2097752833164447824
Princess Komuntale has also called upon the people of Tooro to stay calm amid the new development.
“My brother was a very peaceful and calm person, so please just at least honour him. You know, please stop all this drama and this disunity because I’m sure he’s very unhappy right now, looking down on us in disappointment. So please, for the sake of my brother, for the love of God, let us stay peaceful and just stay united as we continue to progress and move forward in the decision-making,” explained Princess Komuntale.
