By Spy Uganda
Prince Edward Rukidi Kijanangoma Nyabongo I performed key traditional rituals at the burial of the late Omukama Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV, marking a significant moment in Tooro Kingdom’s transition following the death of the young monarch.
Kijanangoma took part in the traditional proceedings at the Karambi Royal Tombs in Fort Portal City, where King Oyo was laid to rest on Saturday evening.
One of the notable moments came when Kijanangoma cast nine coffee berries into Oyo’s grave, a traditional ritual symbolising the transfer of authority and marking his participation in the succession process.
The ritual was performed shortly after Kijanangoma had been publicly presented by the Babiito royal clan leadership as the successor to the late king.
Earlier, at St John’s Cathedral, Omujwera Musuuga Charles Kayondo Kamurasi, the head of the Babiito royal clan, formally announced Kijanangoma as the new King of Tooro.
“I wish to inform Tooro and Uganda at large that Tooro has a new king. The council of the Babiito sat and elected Edward Rukidi Nyabongo I,” Musuuga told mourners gathered for Oyo’s funeral service.
He urged the people of Tooro to remain united and protect the kingdom’s cultural heritage during the transition.
“Let’s stay as one, eat one and say one thing because God is with us. Let us guard the dignity of our culture. No one can mess with the culture of Tooro and Kitara,” Musuuga said.
The subsequent ritual at Karambi gave Kijanangoma a visible role in the traditional proceedings surrounding the late king’s final burial.
The burial brought together members of the Tooro royal family, Babiito clan leaders, government officials, cultural leaders and hundreds of mourners who gathered to pay their final respects to Oyo.
The late king, who died in the United States on August 27 at the age of 34, was finally laid to rest at the historic Karambi Royal Tombs after days of mourning across Tooro.
During the funeral service, Queen Mother Best Kemigisa and Princess Ruth Komuntale focused their messages on Oyo’s life, legacy and the need for unity rather than dwelling on the succession question.
Musuuga also used the occasion to pay tribute to the Queen Mother for standing by Oyo during his illness.
“We thank you for loving and being by his bedside during sickness,” he said, praising her for caring for the late king.
He later delivered an emotional farewell to Oyo, recalling his relationship with the late king’s father, Patrick David Matthew Kaboyo Olimi III.
“When I see your body here, I remember your father who told me that he wished that I be a great man and guide his children including King Oyo. I believe I’ve served that duty to the kingdom subjects,” Musuuga said.
The completion of the traditional burial rituals now sets the stage for the next chapter in Tooro Kingdom, with attention expected to turn to the formal enthronement of Kijanangoma and the continuation of the kingdom’s cultural traditions.
For a kingdom emerging from the loss of one of its youngest monarchs, Saturday’s proceedings at Karambi combined mourning, tradition and the symbolic passing of responsibility to a new generation of leadership.
