The coronation of Edward Rukidi Nyabongo I as the new Omukama of Tooro went ahead on Tuesday without several prominent members of the late King Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV’s immediate family who had opposed his selection as successor.
Among those absent from the coronation ceremony at Karuziika Palace were Princess Ruth Komuntale, Oyo’s elder sister; Princess Elizabeth Bagaya, their paternal aunt; and former Queen Mother Best Kemigisa.
Princes Patrick Mpuuga and Solomon Nyaika, sons of Musuuga Charles Kamurasi, were also absent. Their absence came against the background of a succession dispute that emerged following Oyo’s death in August.
Nyabongo is a member of the Babiito royal family and a cousin of the late king. He is the son of the late Prince Paul Christopher Kijanangoma, who was an elder brother of Omukama Mathew David Patrick Olimi III, Oyo’s father.
Nyabongo is also a grandson of Omukama Sir George Rukidi III. On September 9, the 21-member Babiito royal clan succession committee announced Prince Edward Rukidi Kijanangoma as Oyo’s successor. He was later crowned Edward Rukidi Nyabongo I.
However, the decision was publicly rejected by Kemigisa, Komuntale and Bagaya, who said Oyo had left a Will naming his son as his preferred successor. The three also questioned the succession process and called for it to be suspended until after Oyo’s burial.
The dispute also drew in Kamurasi’s sons, who publicly disagreed with their father’s support for Nyabongo’s selection.
The two princes said Oyo’s Will provided for his son to succeed him and named Prince Yoweri Komwiswa and Nyaika as alternatives if the son was unable to assume the throne.
They said Oyo had been their brother and friend and that his wishes should therefore be respected.
Despite the objections, Nyabongo was formally installed as Omukama after a church service at St John’s Cathedral and a series of traditional rituals that began on Monday night.
Even in the absence of some members of the late king’s family, Nyabongo paid tribute to Oyo in his address to the people of Tooro.
He asked the gathering to stand for a minute of silence in honour of his cousin, King Oyo Nyimba Rukiidi IV.
The new Omukama also signalled his intention to support education for young people in Tooro and pledged to cooperate with other cultural and religious leaders across the country as he began his reign.
He asked the people of Tooro to join him in building the kingdom to greater heights.
Omusuuga of Tooro Kingdom, Charles Kayondo Kamurasi, also mentioned former Queen Mother Best Kemigisa in his address while thanking the government and individuals who contributed to Tooro during the reign of King Oyo.
Speaking at the coronation, Minister of Gender, Labour and Social Development General Henry Tumukunde thanked President Museveni for his involvement in the transition and said the central government had a responsibility to protect the interests of people in cultural institutions because they are part of Uganda.
Tumukunde said the government had sought to remain neutral while dealing with the succession issue.
“The role of central government is to take care of the interests of the people. When you sent me here, I made sure that I am partial and in total neutrality to care for the interests of the people of Uganda because Toro is part of Uganda,” he said.
He called on cultural institutions to operate within their legal mandates and cautioned against the emergence of competing centres of power within the institutions.
“These cultural institutions have got roles that are specified by the law and we request that these cultural institutions stick to this role,” Tumukunde said.“
There is quite a bit of a tendency that there is now a power centre sort of developing in some of these institutions, but I advise that the cultural institutions must manage these power centres to make sure that they do not become a source of instability to the rest of the country.”
Tumukunde said the recent succession dispute demonstrated the need for cultural institutions to have clear records documenting their traditions and procedures.
He said the government may consider reviewing the law governing cultural institutions and documenting aspects of culture to guide future decisions.
“I will be coming to you soon to seek your guidance that we may have to revise the law, sit down and even document what is called culture. Culture must also have a record,” he said.
“We can’t have some turbulent days like the few we had recently and that’s when everybody spares himself on culture.”Tumukunde also urged cultural institutions to develop independent capacity to manage their affairs.
“I should also advise the cultural institutions that they must create independent capacity to run these kingdoms,” he said.
He reminded the kingdoms that their institutions should not depend indefinitely on the personal intervention of the President.
“I don’t think you have as kind a president as President Museveni. If then he’s that kind, he will not be as understanding and with such deep reach into your affairs. I don’t think this is here forever,” Tumukunde said.
He urged the new Omukama to look beyond the succession dispute and focus on the future.
“Finally, the King of Toro, I wish you a great tomorrow. Forget history, be able to move forward. Leaders must always look forward,” Tumukunde said.
He also thanked the Babiito royal clan and government officials who participated in managing the transition.
Nyabongo’s coronation therefore formally marks the transfer of the Tooro throne following Oyo’s death, while the objections previously raised by members of the late king’s family remain part of the background to the new reign-URN. Give us feedback on this story through our email: kamwokyatimes@gmail.com
