Tooro King Edward Rukidi Nyabongo I has reportedly welcomed a proposal to establish a new palace in Kitagwenda, as members of the Babiito royal clan push for him to take more than one wife.
The proposed palace is expected to make it easier for the King to carry out his duties in distant counties, while the clan says multiple royal residences would also accommodate the traditional practice of having more than one queen.
Babiito clan spokesperson Moses Musinguzi revealed that Kitagwenda officials offered land for the construction of a palace when they met the King.
“The county of Kitagwenda has asked the King to build a palace there. They say they have ample land. He accepted this request,” Musinguzi said.
Musinguzi linked the proposal to the Babiito clan’s preference for the King to marry multiple wives, arguing that each queen could have her own residence.
“When he has several palaces, it helps the King to get as many wives as he wants, one in her own palace. This is the wish of the Babiito, this is the wish of the people of Tooro,” he said.
Musinguzi argued that polygamy is part of Tooro tradition and pointed to former kings who, according to him, had several queens living in different royal residences.
“In our tradition, a man can marry more than one wife, and a Mubiito can have more than one woman, same goes for the King,” he added.
The push for additional wives comes despite advice from the Church of Uganda during the King’s coronation, when Bishop Reuben Kisembo urged him to remain committed to his wife, Queen Rebecca Amonding Rukidi, and uphold his Christian marriage vows.
The Babiito have recognised Amonding as Queen despite her Iteso heritage. However, clan spokesperson Rev Fr Dr Charles Oyo has said that, under their account of Tooro succession customs, an heir to the throne must be born to a mother from one of the kingdom’s recognised clans.
That position would reportedly affect the succession eligibility of children born to Amonding, adding another layer to the ongoing discussion about the future of the Tooro monarchy.