Tooro King designate Edward Rukidi Kijanangoma has outlined his vision for the kingdom, highlighting unity, education, scholarships and partnerships as key priorities of his proposed leadership.
Kijanangoma made the remarks during his first address to a select group of elders after emerging as the Babiito elders’ choice for the Tooro throne.
He expressed readiness to serve the people of Tooro and pledged to build on projects initiated by the late King Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV.
Kijanangoma also revealed that he was not the elders’ first choice, explaining that Prince George Desmond Kamurasi had initially been approached but declined the role.
“I was not the first choice, but when the committee reached out to Prince Kamurasi, he said he was not able to take on the role, for his reasons. There was some pushing and shoving, and the baton came to me. I think this was God’s doing, not me,” he said.
His remarks come amid tensions surrounding King Oyo’s death, burial and the succession process. Kijanangoma called for unity among the people of Tooro, citing the Buganda Kingdom as an example of what collective effort can achieve.
“We often hear about the great things that have been accomplished by the Buganda Kingdom; they are united. Unity will drive us to the heights that were thought impossible,” he said.
Kijanangoma also praised King Oyo’s legacy, promising that projects started during his reign would continue.
“The late King Oyo had accomplished a lot of good things. All his great projects will not stop because he is not here. We shall take them on and develop them,” he said.
On education, Kijanangoma pledged to pursue partnerships within Uganda and abroad to create more opportunities for Tooro’s youth. He also promised to expand scholarship programmes associated with King Oyo’s administration.
“We shall find some scholarships. I assure you we have people who can support us... Our children will go to school and come back and work for their kingdom,” he said.