By Karim Were
At his coronation in Fort Portal, President Museveni urged the preservation of indigenous culture, while Omukama Edward Rukidi Nyabongo I promised unity, peace and wealth creation for the people of Tooro.
FORT PORTAL, Uganda — President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has congratulated Omukama Edward Rukidi Nyabongo I on his coronation as the new king of Tooro and gifted him 100 cows, as the new monarch pledged to lead an inclusive reign focused on unity, cultural preservation, peace and wealth creation.
The President made the remarks on Tuesday, September 29, 2026, during the coronation ceremony at Karuziika Palace in Fort Portal City. The event formally marked the enthronement of Nyabongo I following the death of his predecessor, Omukama Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV, in August.
Museveni also used the occasion to highlight the importance of protecting Uganda’s indigenous culture, pointing to the growing influence of modern products and lifestyles on traditional practices.
During his address, the President showcased wooden household products produced by Matongo Limited as an example of indigenous products and argued that aspects of Uganda’s traditional culture had been overshadowed by modern goods.
He called for a reversal of that trend, emphasising the need for Ugandans to value and promote locally produced items and cultural practices.
The President also congratulated Nyabongo I, blessed his reign and announced the 100-cow gift as a coronation present.
According to New Vision, Museveni told the gathering that he had not come to the coronation empty-handed and announced the gift of 100 head of cattle to the new Omukama.
Nyabongo I pledges inclusive leadership
In his maiden address as Omukama, Nyabongo I welcomed the people of Tooro and paid tribute to the late King Oyo, whose death brought an end to his reign and triggered a period of mourning and succession discussions within the kingdom.
The new King acknowledged the difficult period that followed Oyo’s illness and death and expressed appreciation to Queen Mother Best Kemigisa for what he described as her endurance during that period.
He also extended condolences to President Museveni, the royal family and the people of Tooro.
Nyabongo I thanked Museveni for his support to Tooro during the transition and said the President had remained engaged with the kingdom during the period leading to the coronation.
“He has been with us throughout and has even blessed this day,” Nyabongo said.
The new King also thanked the Chief of Defence Forces, Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, and the security agencies for their role following the death of King Oyo.
His acknowledgement came as security and logistical preparations remained a significant part of the coronation programme, which brought together members of the royal family, cultural leaders, government officials and thousands of people from Tooro and beyond.
Tribute to the Babiito clan
Nyabongo I also expressed gratitude to the Babiito clan for entrusting him with the throne.
The Babiito are the ruling royal clan of Tooro and played a central role in the succession process following King Oyo’s death.
The Babiito Royal Clan selected Nyabongo as the successor, after which the Tooro Kingdom Supreme Council endorsed him. The kingdom subsequently set September 29 as the date for his coronation at Karuziika Palace.
In his speech, Nyabongo recognised Charles Kamurasi, the Omujwera Musuuga, for his leadership during the transition.
He also thanked his wife, Omugo Rebecca Omoding Akiiki, for her support, and acknowledged his mother, Omujwera Nyina Omukama Yusta Asiimwe Kijanangoma Amooti, and his late father, Prince Christopher Paul Kijanangoma, whom he credited with laying the foundation for his life.
The new King further recognised the people of Tooro and Ugandans generally for the support extended to him and the kingdom.
He singled out members of the media fraternity and Uganda Broadcasting Corporation, where he worked for 12 years as a news anchor and editor.
His background in journalism has distinguished Nyabongo from many traditional leaders and has contributed to public interest in his transition from a media career to cultural leadership.
A vision centred on unity and inclusion
Nyabongo I used his first address as Omukama to outline the kind of leadership he intends to provide.
He pledged an inclusive reign in which the Tooro Kingdom would serve all people without discrimination while safeguarding the culture, traditions and ways of life of the Batooro.
“We shall work together in unity, trusting that the Lord shall protect and bless the people of Tooro,” he said.
The King also said the kingdom would encourage its subjects to cooperate with the central government in pursuing national development.
His emphasis on cooperation reflects the constitutional position of Uganda’s traditional institutions, which retain cultural significance but do not exercise governmental or political authority.
The restored traditional institutions are primarily custodians of culture, identity and heritage, while responsibility for government remains with the constitutional institutions of the Republic of Uganda.
Peace and wealth creation
Beyond cultural preservation, Nyabongo I said his reign would promote peace and wealth creation.
He indicated that the kingdom would work with religious leaders and elders in pursuing those objectives.
The focus on wealth creation gives the new reign a development-oriented dimension, particularly in a region where cultural institutions interact with communities involved in agriculture, tourism, education, business and other economic activities.
By calling for cooperation between the kingdom, religious leaders, elders and the central government, Nyabongo presented his leadership as one based on partnership rather than isolation.
His pledge will now be tested through the practical programmes and initiatives the kingdom undertakes during his reign.
Museveni highlights preservation of indigenous culture
Museveni’s address placed cultural preservation at the centre of the coronation proceedings.
The President used locally made wooden household products from Matongo Limited to illustrate his concern that modern products have increasingly displaced indigenous products and aspects of traditional culture.
His argument was that development and modernisation should not necessarily mean abandoning local cultural practices and products.
The message has implications beyond Tooro because Uganda is home to diverse cultural communities whose traditional knowledge, crafts, languages, food systems and forms of production are increasingly influenced by global consumer trends.
By highlighting locally produced wooden household items, Museveni linked cultural preservation to domestic production and the promotion of indigenous products.
The emphasis also connects cultural heritage with economic opportunity, particularly where traditional skills can be developed into viable enterprises.
Leaders praise peaceful transition
Tooro leaders also used the coronation to reflect on the transition from King Oyo to Nyabongo I.
Speaking on behalf of Tooro leaders, Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities Minister Tom Butime described the coronation as a historic occasion for both Tooro and Uganda.
Butime thanked Museveni for his support and commended the Batooro for maintaining unity during the transition.
The comments highlighted the importance of a peaceful succession process in sustaining the stability and legitimacy of a cultural institution.
The succession followed the death of King Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV on August 27, 2026. The Babiito clan subsequently selected Nyabongo, and the kingdom’s Supreme Council endorsed him before preparations for the coronation began.
Kamurasi hands over authority
The Omujwera Musuuga, Charles Kamurasi, welcomed President Museveni to the ceremony and thanked him for the support extended to Tooro and the late King Oyo.
Kamurasi praised Museveni for what he described as his care and support for the late King, including during his illness.
“Thank you for loving Tooro and the people of Tooro,” Kamurasi said.
He also commended the UPDF Engineering Brigade for rehabilitation works at the palace and thanked Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba for deploying teams to support preparations for the coronation.
Kamurasi recognised several other individuals who contributed to the preparations, including Lt. Gen. Kayanja Muhanga, Minister Butime, Gen. Henry Tumukunde and members of the organising committee.
He also thanked those who contributed resources, knowledge and technical expertise to the preparations.
At the ceremony, Kamurasi formally handed authority to Nyabongo I, marking the transition to the new reign.
The supplied account ends partway through his handover statement, so the remainder of his remarks cannot be reliably reconstructed without an additional source.
Remembering King Oyo
The coronation also provided an opportunity for Tooro leaders to recognise the legacy of King Oyo.
Kamurasi said the kingdom would remember Oyo for his advocacy against HIV and AIDS.
Oyo became internationally known after ascending the Tooro throne as a child and remained a prominent figure in Uganda’s cultural landscape for decades.
His death at the age of 34 brought widespread mourning and created the need for the Babiito clan and other kingdom structures to undertake a succession process.
The transition was closely watched because of the prominence of the Tooro monarchy and the historical importance of the kingdom.
Government had earlier confirmed that Nyabongo’s coronation would take place on September 29 at Karuziika Palace, following communication from Tooro Kingdom that the succession process had been completed. (Uganda Media Centre)
A new chapter for Tooro
Nyabongo I’s coronation represents a new chapter for one of Uganda’s most prominent cultural institutions.
His pledge of an inclusive reign places unity and cultural preservation at the centre of his leadership agenda, while his emphasis on cooperation with government, religious leaders and elders points to a broad approach to community development.
The new King also inherits the responsibility of preserving the cultural identity of the Batooro while navigating the realities of a rapidly changing society.
For Museveni, the ceremony provided an opportunity to reinforce the government’s support for cultural institutions while encouraging them to contribute to national development and the preservation of indigenous heritage.
The President’s gift of 100 cows further underscored the cultural and symbolic significance attached to the coronation.
Culture, identity and development
The messages delivered during the coronation point to a broader question facing traditional institutions in contemporary Uganda: how to preserve cultural identity while participating in modern economic and social development.
Museveni’s call to promote indigenous products and Nyabongo’s commitment to preserve Tooro’s traditions both place culture at the centre of that discussion.
At the same time, the new King has pledged to work with government and other institutions to promote wealth creation and peace.
That combination could shape the priorities of the new reign, particularly if cultural preservation is linked to practical initiatives in education, tourism, crafts, entrepreneurship and community development.
Traditional institutions in Uganda have cultural influence but no formal governmental authority. Their effectiveness therefore depends heavily on their ability to work with communities and constitutional institutions while maintaining their cultural identity.
Conclusion
The coronation of Edward Rukidi Nyabongo I has formally opened a new chapter for the Tooro Kingdom following the death of King Oyo.
President Museveni congratulated the new Omukama, blessed his reign and gifted him 100 cows, while using the occasion to urge greater protection of Uganda’s indigenous culture and locally made products.
For his part, Nyabongo I pledged to lead an inclusive kingdom, protect Batooro culture and traditions, promote peace and pursue wealth creation through cooperation with government, religious leaders and elders.
The peaceful transition praised by Tooro leaders now provides the foundation for the new reign. Its broader significance will depend on how Nyabongo I translates his promises of unity, cultural preservation and development into practical programmes that serve the people of Tooro.
The coronation thus marks more than a ceremonial change of leadership. It begins a new period in which the Tooro Kingdom will seek to preserve its heritage while responding to the social and economic demands of contemporary Uganda.
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