Tooro King-designate Edward Rukidi Kijanangoma has outlined an agenda focused on unity, education, scholarships and development as he prepares to lead the kingdom amid an unresolved succession dispute.
Addressing a select group of elders after emerging as the Babiito elders’ choice for the throne, Kijanangoma said he was ready to serve Tooro and build on the projects started by the late King Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV.
Kijanangoma acknowledged that he was not the first choice for the throne, explaining that the committee initially approached Prince Kamurasi, who declined the role.
“I was not the first choice, but when the committee reached out to Prince Kamurasi, he said he was not able to take on the role, for his reasons.”
He described his eventual selection as God’s doing.
“There was some pushing and shoving, and the baton came to me. I think this was God’s doing, not me.”
Kijanangoma acknowledged the disagreements and tensions surrounding King Oyo’s death, burial and succession, but called for unity going forward.
He said he intends to reach out to the Babiito royal clan and other clans across Tooro as part of efforts to bring the kingdom together.
“Unity will drive us to the heights that were thought impossible.”
The king-designate also said the late King Oyo’s development projects would continue despite his death.
“The late King Oyo had accomplished a lot of good things. All his great projects will not stop because he is not here. We shall take them on and develop them.”
Education is also expected to be a major priority under Kijanangoma’s proposed administration.
He said the kingdom would seek partnerships both within Uganda and internationally to establish programmes that directly benefit the Batooro, drawing inspiration from investments in education by other cultural institutions.
Scholarships, he added, would be an important part of the plan, particularly for students who complete Senior Six but cannot afford university education.
“I know that the late king had some scholarship projects, but we shall add more. Our children will go to school and come back and work for their kingdom.”
Kijanangoma said his 21 years in the media industry had enabled him to establish contacts in Uganda and abroad, which he hopes to use to attract partnerships and support for Tooro.
“I have been exposed to many people in Uganda and abroad. I will use that exposure to see that we get some friends to support our kingdom.”
