President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni today presided over the coronation of His Royal Highness Omukama Edward Rukidi Nyabongo I as the 15th Omukama of Tooro, ushering in a new chapter for the kingdom following the death of Omukama Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV. King Oyo died on August 27, 2026 after a 31-year reign.
The ceremony which took place at Karuziika Palace, Fort Portal attracted thousands of Batooro and guests from across Uganda and beyond who gathered to witness the historic event.
The coronation followed a thanksgiving service at St John’s Cathedral, led by Bishop Reuben Kisembo, before celebrations shifted to the palace.
At the palace, royal drums that had been silenced during the mourning period were sounded again, while the lion statues were unveiled, symbolising the restoration of the monarchy following the mourning period.
President Museveni began his address by paying tribute to the late King Oyo, whom he commended for his contribution to Tooro and Uganda.
The President said he was deeply saddened the day after King Oyo’s burial when he came across a letter the late monarch had written to him on June 15, 2026.
“I was very sad because the day after King Oyo was buried here, I was going through my documents and I found a letter which he had written to me on the 15thof June 2026. He was thanking me for a number of things, including appointing ministers from Tooro. This means that by June he was still writing letters,” Museveni said.
He congratulated the new Omukama, recalling his previous career as a news anchor and editor.
“I was watching him on the news as a good news reader in English, so I am sure he will do a good job here,” he said.
The President used the occasion to explain why he supports cultural institutions, saying they play an important role in preserving aspects of society that may not be adequately addressed by the modern political system.
He said that before he joined the government, Uganda experienced divisions between supporters of traditional kingdoms and nationalists and Pan-Africanists, with religion and ethnicity sometimes influencing the debate.
President Museveni said his position is rooted in Pan-Africanism while recognisingthe importance of culture, adding that the major challenge arose when hereditary leaders sought to retain political authority.
“When the hereditary leader makes a mistake, what do you do with him? That is why it was wise to say that politics is for the Wanainchi,” he said.
He identified indigenous languages, culture and indigenous knowledge and science as three areas where cultural institutions can complement the modern system.
On indigenous languages, President Museveni said languages such as Runyankore contain concepts and expressions that cannot always be adequately captured in English.
“I could see danger. The indigenous languages are not being used, children speak English,” he said.
He said he wants cultural institutions to work with the government to preserve indigenous languages and revealed that, despite his busy schedule, he had written a Runyankore dictionary because the area had been neglected.
On culture, President Museveni cited traditional family and social practices, saying they provided detailed guidance on conduct, marriage, family relations and social responsibility.
He said traditional systems had mechanisms for maintaining family discipline and preventing practices that could have wider social consequences.
The President also highlighted indigenous science, saying traditional knowledge should not automatically be dismissed because it does not originate from modern scientific institutions.
He cited the preservation of Ankole long-horned cattle as an example.
“I insisted on keeping Ankole traditional cows. Now Ramaphosa, the South African President, came and when he saw my cows he bought 43 cows from me. Now in South Africa it is a big story,” he said.
President Museveni also warned against practices he said could expose Ugandans to health risks, including the use of polythene materials in food preparation.
During his address, he showcased wooden household products produced by Matongo Limited as an example of indigenous products, saying modern products had overshadowed some aspects of Uganda’s traditional culture and that this trend should be reversed.
The President once again congratulated Omukama Nyabongo I, blessed his reign and gifted him 100 cows.
Omukama Nyabongo pledges inclusive reign:
In his maiden address as Omukama, Edward Rukidi Nyabongo I welcomed the people of Tooro and paid tribute to his predecessor, the late King Oyo.
He thanked Queen Mother Best Kemigisa for enduring the difficult period during King Oyo’s illness and expressed condolences to President Museveni, the royal family and the people of Tooro.
The new Omukama also thanked President Museveni for standing with Tooro throughout the transition.
“He has been with us throughout and has even blessed this day,” he said.
Omukama Nyabongo also thanked the Chief of Defence Forces, Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba and the security agencies for their role following King Oyo’s death.
He expressed gratitude to the Babiito clan for entrusting him with the throne and commended the Omujwera Musuuga for his leadership during the transition.
He thanked his wife, Omugo Rebecca Omoding Akiiki, for her support, and his mother, Omujwera Nyina Omukama Yusta Asiimwe Kijanangoma Amooti, and his late father, Prince Christopher Paul Kijanangoma, for laying the foundation for his life.
The new King also recognised the people of Tooro and Ugandans generally for their support, with special appreciation to the media fraternity and Uganda Broadcasting Corporation, where he worked for 12 years as a news anchor and editor.
Outlining his vision for the kingdom, Omukama Nyabongo pledged an inclusive reign in which the Tooro Kingdom would serve all people without discrimination while preserving the culture, traditions and ways of life of the Batooro.
He said the kingdom would encourage its subjects to work closely with the central government in advancing national development.
“We shall work together in unity, trusting that the Lord shall protect and bless the people of Tooro,” he pledged.
He said his reign would promote peace and wealth creation in partnership with religious leaders and elders.
Leaders hail peaceful transition:
Speaking on behalf of Tooro leaders, Minister of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities, Hon. Tom Butime described the coronation as a historic occasion for both Tooro and Uganda.
He thanked President Museveni for his consistent support and commended the Batooro for maintaining unity during the transition.
The Omujwera Musuuga, Charles Kamurasi, welcomed President Museveni and thanked him for the support and care he had extended to the late King Oyo throughout his life, including during his illness.
“Thank you for loving Tooro and the people of Tooro,” he said.
Mr. Kamurasi also commended the UPDF Engineering Brigade for the rehabilitation works at the palace and thanked Gen. Kainerugaba for deploying teams to support the preparations.
He acknowledged Lt. Gen. Kayanja Muhanga, Minister Butime, Gen. Henry Tumukunde, the organising committee and others who contributed resources, knowledge and expertise towards the coronation.
He said Tooro would remember King Oyo for his advocacy against HIV and AIDS and thanked the people of the kingdom for uniting to make the coronation possible.
He then formally handed over authority to the new King.
“I have given you all the power since I am the one who has been holding power during the time since Oyo’s death,” Kamurasi said.
Minister of Gender, Labour and Social Development, Gen. Henry Tumukunde said the Government recognised the contribution of the late King Oyo and thanked the Babiito for their cooperation throughout the transition.
He welcomed the new royal couple and commended them for their patience as the traditional processes leading to the coronation were completed.
“We thank you for allowing processes to usher you into office,” he said.
Gen. Tumukunde said the new Queen’s roots in the Teso sub-region represented an opportunity to strengthen national unity and noted that the people of Tooro had reciprocated this gesture with love.
He said the central government had handled the transition with neutrality in order to protect the interests of the people of Tooro.
He also cautioned against the emergence of competing centres of political power within cultural institutions, saying this could create instability, and encouraged kingdoms to build credible institutional capacity.
The Chairman of the Central Organising Committee, Mr. Isaiah Mayombo, thanked God for making the coronation possible and congratulated the new King.
He thanked President Museveni for gracing the occasion and for the Government’s financial support, while also commending the Omujwera Musuuga for his leadership during the transition.
“We are proud of you as the people of Tooro. You made good decisions and stood on your word,” Mr. Mayombo said.
Tooro celebrates new reign:
The Karuziika Palace grounds were transformed into a spectacle of colour, culture and celebration.
Batooro dressed in vibrant traditional mushana and busuuti filled the grounds as royal drums thundered after months of silence. Traditional dancers performed to the sounds of amakondere, while ululations filled the air as the lion statues were unveiled.
Delegations of elders, clergy, cultural leaders from across Uganda, diplomats, politicians and thousands of subjects braved the afternoon sun to witness the historic ceremony.
The celebrations turned Karuziika into a sea of traditional regalia and colour as Tooro formally closed the mourning period for King Oyo and welcomed a new chapter under Omukama Edward Rukidi Nyabongo I.
