Tuesday, September 29, 2026

Journalist Becomes King of Uganda’s Tooro Kingdom After Succession Dispute

September 29, 2026 0
APC Donates N52m to Families of 37 Deceased Niger Miners The All Progressives Congress has donated N52 million to the families of 37 miners who died while in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps in Niger State, as well as survivors of the incident. Niger State Governor, Umaru Bago, disclosed this on Tuesday when he received the APC National Working Committee, led by the party’s National Chairman, Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, during a condolence visit. Bago expressed appreciation to the APC leadership for the visit and financial assistance, saying the state committee, headed by Deputy Governor Yakubu Garba, in collaboration with the Emir of Minna, Alhaji Farouk Bahago, would ensure that the funds reached the intended beneficiaries. Yilwatda, who conveyed the condolences of the APC to the government and people of Niger State, described the incident as a difficult moment for the state. He noted that Niger State had recently faced several security challenges and assured the affected families of the party’s support. “For the affected families, may God strengthen and comfort them in this challenging period. All this will pass away,” Yilwatda said. The APC national chairman also commended Governor Bago for his handling of the situation and assured him of the party’s continued support. Yilwatda later led members of the National Working Committee to the palace of the Emir of Minna for another condolence visit. The Emir thanked the APC leadership for its visit and financial support to the families affected by the incident.

A Ugandan journalist has been crowned the new king of the Tooro Kingdom, bringing an end to a succession dispute that followed the death of the previous monarch.

Edward Rukidi Kijanangoma, 56, succeeded King Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV, who died last month at the age of 34 after battling cancer.

Kijanangoma, a cousin of the late king, was selected by a 21-member committee from the royal Babiito clan. He has adopted the royal name Edward Rukidi Nyabongo I.

His coronation followed a series of traditional rituals in Fort Portal, the capital of the Tooro Kingdom. The ceremonies included the slaughter of a bull, the sprinkling of a hen’s blood and a symbolic mock battle for the crown.

Before becoming king, Nyabongo I worked as a news anchor and editor at Uganda’s state broadcaster, UBC. Former colleagues described him as humble and down-to-earth.

His selection, however, has remained controversial. The late King Oyo’s mother, Best Kemigisa, and sister, Princess Ruth Komuntale, objected to the decision, saying Oyo had a young son who was named as his heir in a will.

The claim surrounding the alleged son sparked a succession dispute within the kingdom. However, critics of the claim said the child would have needed to be formally introduced to the kingdom’s elders while the late king was alive in order to be recognised as a legitimate heir.

Uganda is a constitutional republic governed by an elected president, while its four traditional kingdoms continue to play an important cultural and historical role, although they have no political authority.
Abu Ramadan

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