Before Prince Edward Rukidi Kijanangoma was selected as the next king of Tooro, residents of Kidukuru Village in Central Division, Fort Portal City, knew him as a quiet, humble, and respectful person.
The 56-year-old King-designate was born in 1970 and raised in Kidukuru, where neighbors watched him grow from an ordinary Prince into a king.
Following his selection and preparations for his coronation as Omukama, some of the elderly residents who knew him as a child say the character they see in the king-designate today is the same one they knew decades ago.
His selection brought excitement to the village, with residents celebrating the fact that one of their own had been entrusted with the Tooro throne.
Mary Kalya Magwala remembers him by his childhood nickname “Poggie”. She says he grew up a friendly and well-mannered man who respected everyone regardless of age or social status.
Magwala says Kijanangoma was particularly known for his respect towards elders.
She explains that whenever he met an elderly person on the road, he would stop to greet them and could even attempt to kneel as a sign of respect.
She says that as a young person, Kijanangoma never caused problems in the neighborhood and was loved by both adults and children. Florence Byaruhanga, another resident, remembers Kijanangoma as a calm and disciplined child.
She says that although he grew up like any other child, his calmness, humility, and discipline distinguished him from his peers.
Byaruhanga also remembers him as someone who spoke little, kept himself clean, and always communicated calmly.
“He portrayed leadership through his gentleness and calmness,” Byaruhanga says.
Mary Nyabongo also remembers him as a down-to-earth child who was well-raised and respectful.
Nyabongo says she believes his good manners were among the qualities that could have distinguished him during the selection process. She hopes the responsibilities of kingship will not change the person they knew growing up.
Kijanagoma was announced on September 9 as the successor to the late Omukama Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV, who passed away on August 27. He is the son of the late Prince Paul Christopher Kijanagoma and Yusta Asiimwe Kijanagoma.
He is also a grandson of Sir George David Kamurasi Rukidi III, the 11th Omukama of Tooro. He is to be enthroned as Omukama Edward Rukidi Nyabongo I at Karuziika Palace in Fort Portal on September 29-URN. Give us feedback on this story through our email: kamwokyatimes@gmail.com
