World
Uganda crowns journalist king after succession dispute
BBC News··29 Sept
Prince Edward Rukidi Kijanangoma Nyabongo II, a former state broadcaster anchor, will be crowned king of Uganda's Tooro kingdom. King Oyo ruled 31 years after ascending at age three in 1995 and died last month aged 34. A 21-member Babiito committee picked Kijanangoma despite Queen Best Kemigisa citing the late king's will. The coronation walk covers about 4 km.
Prism
What It Means For You
- Tooro is one of Uganda's four main officially recognised historical kingdoms.
- Traditional ceremonies begin at midnight and include a mock fight before the crown is placed.
- The late king was never publicly married, and his son has not been revealed.
What's Happening
- Close royal family members said Oyo left a will naming his child as successor.
- The succession committee said its process followed Tooro customs and traditions.
- Information Minister Charles Mwanguhya described the ceremonies to the BBC Focus on Africa podcast.
From Boy King to Contested Succession
- Oyo became the world's youngest monarch when he took the throne as an infant.
- Kijanangoma, 56, was known publicly as a storyteller before the throne dispute.
- The Babiito clan blesses the new king after he sits on the throne.
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