Former Ugandan presenter becomes king of Toro after cousin’s death; cousin was crowned at age 3

Edward Rukindi Kitzanangoma Nyabongo II, a journalist and former presenter on Uganda’s public television broadcaster, has been declared the new king of the traditional kingdom of Toro. He replaces his late cousin, Oyo Nyiba Kabamba Iguru Rukindi IV, who was once recognized as the world’s youngest monarch.

Kitzanangoma, 56, was selected by a special committee established to determine the successor. Rukindi IV died in the United States at the end of August, aged 34, as a result of cancer.

Rukindi IV received the crown when he was just 3 years old, following the death of his father. At the time, according to Guinness World Records, he became the world’s youngest monarch.

Kitzanangoma’s selection caused a rift within the royal family. The Queen Mother, Best Kemigisa, and her daughter, Princess Ruth Komundale, opposed the decision. They said the late king had an heir, whom, they claimed, only a small circle of family members knew about.

Best Kemigisa and Princess Komundale also presented a will naming “his biological son” as the successor. The royal electoral committee responded that the child had never been presented before the group of 21 elders and had not taken part in the traditional recognition ceremonies required for heirs to the throne.

The committee explained that a candidate for heir must have the education and preparation necessary to take on the duties of leader. As a result, the boy claimed to be Rukindi IV’s son was not considered for the throne.

The reign of Edward Rukindi Kitzanangoma Nyabongo II began at midnight on Monday. On Tuesday, following a simulated battle, he took possession of the royal palace in Fort Portal as part of a traditional ceremony that lasted 24 hours.

During the ceremonies in Fort Portal, the capital of Toro, the new king slaughtered a bull and spilled the blood of a chicken. He then walked more than 4 kilometers to the royal palace.

Toro is one of Uganda’s four main traditional kingdoms. At the end of the 19th century, they were united to create the British Protectorate of Uganda. The kingdoms were abolished in 1967, but President Yoweri Museveni restored them in the early 1990s.

Uganda’s Constitution now limits the kingdoms’ role to traditional and cultural matters. Nevertheless, the kings continue to wield influence in their communities.

Edward Rukindi Kitzanangoma Nyabongo II is believed to belong to the Babito clan and is a member of the extended family of former King George David Rukindi III. According to the BBC, the name Kitzanangoma also demonstrates his royal lineage.

He was born in 1970 in a village about 300 kilometers from the capital, Kampala. In 1999, he completed his studies in Mass Communication at the University of Kampala and later worked in the media for more than two decades, including as a news presenter on Uganda’s public television broadcaster.

After more than 20 years in journalism, Kitzanangoma has now begun a new chapter as the traditional leader of the kingdom of Toro.