Category: News

The late Omukama of Tooro, Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV, left behind a 2022 Will that expressly provides for the succession of the Tooro throne, with his son named as the first heir and successor, details of the document have emerged.

The Will, dated September 14, 2022, sets out a clear order of succession, putting King Oyo’s son ahead of other members of the royal family.

The document was presented in Fort Portal on Wednesday by the late King’s long-time personal lawyer, Michael Akampurira, before members of the royal family and government officials.

According to the Will, a son of King Oyo is designated as the first heir and successor to the throne of Tooro.

However, the identity of the son has not been publicly disclosed.

The revelation comes days after the death of King Oyo, who passed away on August 27, 2026, aged 34, while receiving treatment in the United States. His body was returned to Uganda on September 4 ahead of his burial in Tooro.

FOUR-MAN SUCCESSION LINE

The Will does not stop at naming Oyo’s son.

It establishes a fallback succession arrangement in case the young heir is unable to take up the crown.

According to the document, if King Oyo’s son dies before assuming the throne, becomes permanently incapacitated or is otherwise unable to succeed or undertake the responsibilities of the crown, the throne should pass to Prince Yoweri Komwiswa.

If Prince Komwiswa is also unable to assume the throne, the Will provides for Prince Solomon Nyaika to take over.

And if Prince Nyaika is unable to succeed, the succession would then pass to Musuga Charles Kamurasi, the head of the royal Babiito clan.

The order is therefore:

1. King Oyo’s son
2. Prince Yoweri Komwiswa
3. Prince Solomon Nyaika
4. Musuga Charles Kamurasi

WILL THROWS SUCCESSION DEBATE WIDE OPEN

The contents of the Will could significantly reshape the succession debate that has followed King Oyo’s death.

In the days after his death, different names emerged as possible successors, amid reports of meetings and competing claims over who should take over the Tooro throne.

The newly presented Will, however, puts King Oyo’s direct lineage at the top of the succession arrangement.

It also provides a written fallback plan involving members of the royal family should his son be unable to assume the crown.

The document therefore places the late King’s own stated wishes at the centre of the succession question.

‘CONTINUITY OF THE CROWN ASSURED’

Following King Oyo’s death, Tooro Kingdom officials had already indicated that the late monarch had left behind an heir.

Kingdom Prime Minister Calvin Armstrong Rwomiire Akiiki said the continuity of the Crown was assured and that the identity of the heir would be revealed at the appropriate time in accordance with Tooro customs.

The revelation of the Will now provides further details about the succession framework and confirms that the late King had made provisions for the future of the monarchy before his death.

SUCCESSION ORDER

The Will provides that succession should be implemented peacefully and with dignity, with the customs and traditions of the Tooro Kingdom applying insofar as they are consistent with the succession provisions contained in the document.

King Oyo ascended the Tooro throne in 1995 at just three years old, becoming internationally known as the world’s youngest reigning monarch at the time. He remained Omukama for more than three decades before his death.

His death has left the kingdom preparing for a transition that will determine the next chapter of the centuries-old Tooro monarchy.

For now, the biggest revelation is clear: King Oyo’s 2022 Will placed his own son first in line to the throne, with three royal relatives named as successors if the direct heir cannot assume the crown.

The Tooro Kingdom has a new heir to its throne, with Prince Edward Kijanangoma Rukidi emerging as the successor to the late Omukama Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV.

Prince Edward was selected by the Ababiito clan following a succession process that involved consultations and consideration of candidates for the kingdom’s highest traditional office.

The decision was announced Wednesday evening at Karuziika Palace, where Monsignor Isiah Mayombo communicated the resolution on behalf of the Ababiito leaders.

The announcement comes less than three weeks after the death of King Oyo, who passed away on August 27 at the age of 34, and only days before his burial at the Tooro Royal Tombs on Saturday, September 12.

According to the resolution, a 21-member committee was constituted to identify a suitable candidate for the throne. The committee said it carried out consultations and due diligence before arriving at its decision.

The process was undertaken under the leadership of Omujwera Musuuga, the head of the Ababiito clan, whose authority was central to the selection of the new monarch.

In its resolution, the committee stated that the Ababiito clan is responsible for choosing the king of Tooro and that, after considering the available options, it had settled on Prince Kijanangoma.

The new king comes from a long royal lineage. Prince Edward Rukidi Kijanangoma is the son of the late Prince Christopher Paul Kijanangoma and grandson of the late Omukama George David Rukidi III.

His selection closes a period of uncertainty that followed King Oyo’s death, with several names having circulated as possible successors.

George Kamurasi Desmond David had previously been mentioned among those who could take over the throne. There was also speculation surrounding reports that King Oyo had a biological son, raising further questions about who would eventually inherit the royal position.

The Ababiito committee has now formally endorsed Prince Edward, although his installation as Omukama will still follow the cultural rites and procedures prescribed by Tooro tradition.

His selection also comes at a particularly significant moment for the kingdom. While the succession question has been settled, Tooro is preparing to bid farewell to King Oyo, whose reign began when he was only three years old and lasted for more than three decades.

With the successor now identified, attention will turn to the preparations for Prince Edward’s enthronement and the traditional ceremonies that will formally usher him into the Tooro throne.

The announcement marks the beginning of a new chapter for Tooro Kingdom, even as the kingdom continues to mourn the monarch whose death brought the succession process into focus.

The Babiito clan’s Succession Committee has selected Prince Edward Rukidi Kijanangoma to be enthroned as the successor to the Omukama of Tooro, Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru IV.
The development marks a significant step in the succession process of the Tooro Kingdom.#SqoopUpdates??… pic.twitter.com/R35fBEoJ1c

— sQoop (@sQoopUG) September 9, 2026

In a significant moment for Tooro Kingdom’s cultural heritage, the Babiito royal clan has officially announced Prince Edward Kijanangoma Rukidi as the next Omukama (King) of the Tooro Kingdom, marking the beginning of a new era for the western Uganda kingdom.

The announcement came Wednesday evening through the Office of the Musuuga at Karuziika Palace in Fort Portal, following weeks of consultations and deliberations by the kingdom’s succession committee. A 19-member resolution confirmed the decision after extensive due diligence undertaken by the Babiito clan elders.

Filling a Royal Vacuum

The succession comes after the death of King Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV on August 27, 2026. King Oyo, who ascended to the throne at just three years old in 1995, had reigned for 31 years—making him one of the world’s most enduring young monarchs. His death at 34 marked the end of a transformative reign focused on youth empowerment, environmental conservation, and tourism development.

Who Is Prince Edward Kijanangoma?

Prince Edward is the son of the late Prince Christopher Paul Kijanangoma and grandson of the late Omukama George David Rukidi III, giving him deep roots within the royal lineage. His election represents a return to ancestral lines and follows the hereditary succession system that has governed the Tooro Kingdom for generations.

The Babiito clan, responsible for selecting the new monarch, emphasized that their choice was made after consultations and thorough consideration of suitable candidates. According to the formal resolution presented by clan leaders, Prince Edward emerged as the consensus choice to guide Tooro into its next chapter.

The Sacred Process

Unlike modern political elections, the succession process is steeped in tradition and cultural significance. The 21-member committee convened under the leadership of Omujwera Musuga (the clan head), tasked with identifying a suitable successor who would uphold the kingdom’s values and continue its legacy.

“Having undertaken due diligence, consultation and adequate consideration, we hereby resolve that Prince Edward Rukidi Kijanangoma… be enthroned as the new Omukama of Tooro,” the committee’s resolution stated.

The formal enthronement will follow Tooro’s established cultural traditions and customs—a process that typically involves ritual ceremonies, cultural performances, and the participation of kingdom subjects and neighboring royal families.

A Kingdom in Transition

The announcement comes at a pivotal moment for Tooro. The kingdom has navigated complex succession discussions in recent weeks, with various stakeholders weighing in on the process. Religious leaders called for unity, government officials urged calm, and members of the extended Babiito clan consulted widely to ensure legitimacy and acceptance of the new monarch.

President Museveni’s government has committed to supporting the transition through proper legal and constitutional channels, ensuring that the succession process respects both traditional protocols and Uganda’s modern governance frameworks.

Legacy and Future

While King Oyo’s unexpected death shocked the nation—he had been recognized by Guinness World Records as the world’s youngest reigning monarch—his 31-year reign left an indelible mark. He championed environmental protection, notably climbing Margherita Peak as part of his conservation advocacy, and invested heavily in youth development and tourism initiatives.

Prince Edward now inherits not just a throne, but a kingdom eager to see continuity and progress. The expectations are high: to maintain the momentum of development, preserve cultural traditions, and lead Tooro through contemporary challenges while honoring its royal heritage.

What Comes Next?

The formal coronation ceremony is expected to take place following traditional protocols and the completion of King Oyo’s funeral rites. During this period, the Office of the Musuuga will oversee all cultural and ceremonial arrangements, ensuring that both the late king receives appropriate honors and the new monarch is properly inducted.

For Tooro’s estimated population of around 900,000, the announcement signals stability and continuity. For Uganda’s cultural institutions—which have played an increasingly important role since kingdoms were reinstated as cultural entities in 1993—it represents the strength and resilience of traditional governance systems in modern Africa.

The Bigger Picture

This succession is significant beyond Fort Portal. In a continent where many kingdoms and chiefdoms struggle with succession disputes and legitimacy challenges, Tooro’s relatively smooth transition demonstrates the enduring power of institutionalized cultural processes. The Babiito clan’s collective decision-making and the widespread consultation reflect a model of consensual leadership that predates modern democracy by centuries.

As Prince Edward Kijanangoma prepares to assume the title of Omukama, he joins a lineage of rulers stretching back generations. The kingdom now watches to see how this new generation of leadership will navigate the balance between honoring ancestral traditions and steering Tooro toward future prosperity.

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Ten years after Kibun’omu first introduced many listeners to his distinctive sound, Kenneth Mugabi is bringing the music, the memories and the people who have journeyed with him together for one special night.

This Saturday, September 12, Mugabi takes over Ndere Cultural Centre for a concert that promises to be as much about the fans as it is about the man on stage. The concert will also double as a birthday celebration for the singer, giving fans even more reason to make their way to Ndere for a night of music.

The show, powered by V&A Sherry, is meant to be an occasion to share and savour moments to the sound of the soulful Kenneth Mugabi.

Speaking ahead of the concert, Roy Ronald Tumwizere, Brand Manager for V&A Sherry, said Mugabi’s music makes the evening an easy one to look forward to.

“If there is anyone ready to entertain, it is Kenneth Mugabi. As V&A, we are proud to be part of this 10-year journey, but for me, this is also personal because I am a fan of his music. There is something special about seeing an artist reach this point and still have people who want to sing along to the songs that have been part of their lives.”

For fans, the night will bring together some of Mugabi’s most loved songs, from Sanyu and Nkwengomba to Naki, among others- music that has travelled beyond the stage and found a place in playlists, memories and quiet moments shared along the way.

To add to the anticipation, Mugabi has promised a surprise appearance from an East African music legend. The guest’s identity remains under wraps, giving those attending one more reason to be in the room when the music starts.

V&A Sherry will also bring its own experience to the evening, with signature serves and special cocktails creating a setting for guests to settle in, catch up and savour the night. For couples looking for a different kind of Saturday date, soulful music, good company and a V&A glass in hand make Ndere a compelling place to be.

After ten years of making music, Mugabi is bringing the people who have listened, sung along and grown with his music into the next chapter.

With a birthday, a decade of Kibun’omu, a surprise guest and a catalogue of songs that have stayed with people, this is one of those nights that may be better experienced than heard about afterwards or witnessed live on the gram.

Gates open at 5 pm at Ndere Cultural Centre. Tickets are Shs 100,000, while tables go for Shs 3 million. Tickets and table bookings are available at kennethmugabi.com.

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Beatrice Nyafwono took her one-million-shilling Parish Development Model (PDM) grant and split it in half. With the first half, she bought three piglets and feed.

With the second, she planted a cassava garden. The proceeds from both let her buy a cow, which has since multiplied to two, and start a retail shop that now gives her a daily income.

Her story was one of several success accounts shared with the Speaker of Parliament, Rt Hon. Jacob Marksons Oboth, during a PDM progress meeting with Sub county and Parish leaders of West Budama Central, held at the Speaker’s residence in Muwafu Ward, Nabuyoga Town Council, Tororo District on Tuesday.

Subcounty and Parish Chiefs used the meeting to report on the programme’s impact across the constituency, confirming that 7,873 families have benefited from PDM in West Budama Central, with UGX 8.59 billion disbursed between 2022 and 2025 and a further UGX 1.072 billion pending disbursement.

West Budama Central comprises six subcounties: Nabuyoga, Mulanda, Mwello, Pajwenda, Siwa and Nabuyoga Town Council spread across 22 parishes, each with its own set of beneficiaries and success stories.But alongside the success stories came sobering accounts of what still stands in the programme’s way.

Leaders flagged disparities in allocations across parishes, low attendance at beneficiary training sessions, and reluctance among poor and vulnerable households to take up loans for fear of failing to repay them.

They also raised the absence of ready markets for produce and goods from PDM-supported enterprises, a gap they said was eating into the returns beneficiaries could otherwise earn on their investments.It was against this backdrop that Speaker Oboth issued his sharpest warning of the day: corruption, he said, threatens to undermine everything the programme is meant to achieve.

He cautioned leaders in the strongest terms against demanding kickbacks from beneficiaries, stressing that they are already salaried to do government work and have no business extracting anything further from the very households PDM is meant to lift out of poverty.

“I was made Speaker to fight corruption, and I will lead by example,” Speaker Oboth told the gathering, vowing to crack down on any form of graft connected to the programme.

He further cautioned leaders against lavish spending aimed at winning praise, urging them instead to live within the means of the salaries they are paid.

 “You are not working for the President or any leader, but for yourself,” he said, adding that anyone attempting to obstruct justice should instead let the law take its course, and urging leaders at all levels to cooperate and support one another’s roles.

The Speaker guided further that PDM funds are meant to transform households and enable our people to move out of poverty, and every leader has a responsibility to ensure that these resources reach the intended beneficiaries.

“I am warning anyone found conniving with local leaders to misuse or divert PDM funds would be held accountable.”

He commended District Internal Security Officers (DISOs) for their role in monitoring government programmes and filing reports that strengthen accountability, describing their input as vital to ensuring PDM delivers on its objectives.

The Resident District Commissioner, Hajji Bategana Salim, who also attended the meeting, strongly urged leaders to use PDM as a catalyst for eradicating poverty in the district.

The District Police Commander, Karrekyezi Martin Bampa, urged leaders not to conceal or protect crime and committed to supporting communities on cases of stolen animals, a recurring complaint among PDM beneficiaries. Other leaders present included Subcounty Chiefs, Parish Chiefs, LC III and LC II Chairpersons, Gombolola Internal Security Officers, Councilors and SACCO leaders.

The engagement forms part of the Speaker’s directive that Members of Parliament use the current recess to monitor government programmes in their constituencies, with particular attention to the Parish Development Model, before Parliament reconvenes on 28 September 2026.

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The High Court has granted bail to Parliament Director of Communication Chris Obore and six others accused of embezzlement, money laundering and causing government financial loss of more than Shs27 billion.

The seven were arrested on July 2, 2026, following orders by Inspector General of Government Aisha Naluzze and have denied all the charges against them.

They appeared before the High Court today for a ruling on their bail applications, which had previously been scheduled for July 9.

Justice Michael Elubu granted the accused bail but attached stringent conditions, including cash bail, land titles, passports and substantial surety bonds.

Obore was granted Shs30 million cash bail and ordered to deposit the title of his residence in Kiwanga with court. He must also surrender his passport to the Registrar. His sureties are required to execute a Shs300 million bond and provide land titles as security.

Methods Murebe, Chief Executive Officer, Uganda Parliamentary Cooperative Savings and Credit Society (Parliamentary SACCO) was granted Shs20 million cash bail and ordered to deposit the certificate of title for his residence in Goma Cell, together with his passport. His sureties must execute a Shs300 million bond.

Kaaya Rajab Principal Research Officer, Parliament was also granted Shs20 million cash bail. He presented a certificate of purchase for his home in Kyebando as security and was ordered to deposit his passport with court. His sureties must execute a Shs300 million bond.

Okui Emmanuel, Principal Protocol Officer, Parliament was granted Shs20 million cash bail and directed to present a certificate of title for land in Kyaggwe. He must also surrender his passport to court, while his sureties are required to execute a Shs300 million bond.

Adilo Daniel, Director of Human Resource, Parliament was granted Shs35 million cash bail and required to present a land title for property in Kyaggwe. His sureties must execute a Shs300 million bond.

Okema Leonard, Executive Secretary, Office of the Speaker was granted Shs35 million cash bail and presented land in Katale-Bugema, Kyengera, where his home is located, as security. He was also ordered to deposit his passport with court, while his sureties must execute a Shs300 million bond.

Otebata Vincent, Capacity Development Officer, Parliament was granted Shs30 million cash bail. He was ordered to present a certificate of land purchase for property in Busukuma, deposit his passport with court and provide sureties worth Shs300 million.

Justice Elubu further directed that all certificates of title presented by the sureties during the bail hearing shall stand as security for the bail.

The accused persons were also ordered to report to the Deputy Registrar of the High Court on the first Monday of every month. The judge warned that should any of the accused abscond, the land titles deposited as security would be forfeited to the State.

The bail ruling now allows the seven accused to remain out of custody as they continue defending themselves against the Shs27 billion financial loss allegations.

The case stems from an investigation by the Inspectorate of Government into the alleged misuse of parliamentary funds allocated for donations and Corporate Social Responsibility programmes.

Obore and six other senior parliamentary officials were arrested on July 2, 2026, after reporting to the IG offices to record additional statements, and were subsequently charged with embezzlement, causing financial loss to government and money laundering.

Prosecution alleges that the handling of the funds caused a Shs27.201 billion loss to government, while six of the accused are separately accused of processing and receiving Shs10.893 billion knowing or having reason to believe it was proceeds of crime.

Prosecution separately alleges that Obore, Adilo, Okema, Kaaya Ssemalulu, Otebata and Murebe processed, approved and received Shs10.893 billion between January 2023 and April 2026, knowing or having reason to believe that the money constituted proceeds of crime.

On July 31, 2026, IGG Lady Justice Aisha Naluzze Batala directed the Clerk to Parliament to interdict seven senior parliamentary officials.The IGG said the interdiction was necessary while the criminal proceedings continued.

The charge sheet also contains individual allegations against the officials. Chris Obore, alleged embezzlement of Shs5.253 billion
Daniel Adilo Shs14.609 billion, Leonard Okema Shs3.489 billion, Rajab Kaaya Ssemalulu Shs2.170 billion, Emmanuel Emuron Okwi Shs1.105 billion, Vincent Otebata Shs5.253 billion and Stella Itute Shs75 million.

Stella Itute is connected to the case but is not one of the seven who were arrested and are before court for the bail ruling. She was charged alongside them in absentia and is identified in court reports as an Office Supervisor in the Office of the Sergeant-at-Arms.