By Peter Luzinda
FORT PORTAL
The planned coronation of Prince Edward Rukidi Kijanangoma Nyabongo I as the new King of Tooro has been thrown into uncertainty after a last-minute application was filed before the High Court in Fort Portal seeking to stop Tuesday’s installation ceremony.
The application was filed on Monday, September 28, by two Batooro, Derick Alitugabira and Juliet Kangume, together with Walezi Wa Katiba, a civil society organisation that promotes constitutionalism and good governance.
Through their lawyers, Thomas & Michael Advocates, the applicants are seeking an interim order restraining the coronation scheduled for September 29 at Karuziika Palace until a substantive case challenging the process through which Prince Nyabongo was selected is determined.
The applicants argue that allowing the ceremony to proceed before the succession dispute is resolved could create changes that would be difficult to reverse.
At the centre of the case is an alleged will left by the late Omukama Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV, who died on August 27, 2026.
According to the court documents, the applicants claim the late king’s will provided for his son to succeed him and, in the absence of his son, succession would pass to a cousin.
They contend that the process that resulted in the selection of Prince Nyabongo did not comply with the wishes contained in the alleged will.
Former Tooro Queen Mother Best Kemigisa has also been named as a respondent. The applicants refer to statements attributed to her concerning the existence of a son of the late king and want the court to require her to identify and produce the person they claim was named as heir.
The current Omukama, Kemigisa and the Attorney General are listed among the respondents in the proceedings.
Walezi Wa Katiba says its involvement is based on its stated mandate of promoting constitutional governance, the rule of law and public accountability. The organisation argues that the transfer of leadership within the Tooro Kingdom raises issues of public interest.
The application comes after weeks of debate over the succession following the death of King Oyo. On September 9, the Babiito Royal Clan selected Prince Edward Rukidi Kijanangoma as successor, a decision later endorsed by the Tooro Kingdom’s Supreme Council.
The government subsequently said the succession process had followed the applicable customary, constitutional and statutory procedures and announced that it was processing the new king’s formal recognition in the Uganda Gazette.
Attorney General Sam Mayanja had earlier said the kingdom could continue with preparations because, at the time, no formal court challenge had been registered. He also said that any dispute over the alleged will could be taken to court.
Despite the latest application, preparations for Tuesday’s ceremony have continued.
The kingdom’s programme has Prince Nyabongo expected to leave Rwengoma Palace on Monday night in a traditional procession towards Karuziika Palace, accompanied by thousands of people carrying reed-lit torches. A traditional mock battle at the Mugabante entrance is expected to symbolise the transfer of authority before the prince proceeds into the palace for further rituals.
On Tuesday morning, the king-designate is scheduled to attend a church service at St John’s Cathedral in Fort Portal before returning to Karuziika Palace for the coronation. President Yoweri Museveni is expected to attend as chief guest.
The kingdom has said more than 50,000 people could attend the ceremony.
As of Monday evening, the High Court had not heard or determined the emergency application. The coronation therefore remained officially scheduled for Tuesday, September 29, while the court challenge introduced a new legal uncertainty on the eve of the historic ceremony.
