Former TV journalist to be crowned king of Uganda's Tooro kingdom after disputed succession

Uganda's Tooro kingdom is set to crown a new monarch: Prince Edward Rukidi Kijanangoma Nyabongo II, a 56-year-old former anchor and editor at the state broadcaster who has long been a familiar face to Ugandans in a very different role.

Tooro is one of four officially recognised historical kingdoms in Uganda. For the past 31 years it was led by King Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV, who became king at just three years old in 1995 after his father's death, making him the world's youngest monarch at the time. Oyo died last month of cancer at age 34.

A contested succession

Tradition holds that a recognised son of the late king should inherit the throne. Close relatives say Oyo left a will naming a young son as his successor, but the child has never been publicly presented, and the 21-member Babiito clan committee responsible for selecting the king did not recognise him, ultimately choosing Kijanangoma instead. Oyo's mother, Queen Best Kemigisa, argued the will should have been honoured and described coronation celebrations taking place near her son's body as deeply painful. The kingdom's information minister said the alleged son has never been presented publicly, fuelling growing acceptance that Oyo did not leave an heir.

Kijanangoma and the late King Oyo are cousins, both grandsons of King Rukidi III, who ruled Tooro from 1928 to 1965. Another candidate considered for the throne, Prince George Desmond Kamurasi, a footballer for a well-known UK amateur club, reportedly declined the offer due to other commitments.

Uganda's government, led by President Yoweri Museveni, backed the Babiito clan's choice, with the attorney general confirming no formal complaint had been filed against Kijanangoma. Museveni is expected to attend the coronation.

Kijanangoma graduated in mass communication from Makerere University in 1999 and spent more than two decades working as a broadcaster in Uganda and Rwanda. After being named king, he pledged to promote unity, development and an open palace for the people.