The 56-year-old Kijanangoma becomes the 13th king of the Batooro people, succeeding King Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV, who died in the United States last month while receiving treatment for cancer.
Kijanangoma, who was a cousin of the late king, was selected by a 21-member committee from the Babiito royal clan after weeks of uncertainty over who would take over the throne.
His coronation took place in Fort Portal on Sept. 29 and featured a series of traditional rituals. Among them were the slaughtering of a bull and the spilling of chicken blood, while Kijanangoma also took part in a symbolic journey on foot to Karuziika Palace during the night.
The new king later participated in a traditional mock battle as part of the ceremonies marking his assumption of the throne.
Before entering royal life, Kijanangoma was better known as a journalist.
He worked for Uganda Broadcasting Corporation (UBC), where former colleagues described him as a humble and approachable person. He also worked for Rwanda Television, where he presented news in English under the name Eddie Nkurukenzire.
His rise to the throne follows the death of Oyo, who died on Aug. 27 in the United States at the age of 34. He was buried on Sept. 12 at the royal burial grounds in Karambi, Fort Portal.
Oyo became king in 1995 when he was only three years old, following the death of his father. His age and royal status attracted international attention, with photographs of the young king wearing traditional royal clothing and a crown appearing widely in the media.
His succession has, however, been accompanied by disagreement over who should inherit the throne.
Oyo’s mother, Best Kemigisa, and his sister, Princess Ruth Komuntale, have said the late king left behind a young son and that a document indicated the child was intended to succeed him.
The issue emerged after Oyo’s death. Before then, he had not publicly been known to have children, and the boy’s existence only became known after the king’s death.
Despite the dispute, the Babiito royal clan selected Kijanangoma as the new king, paving the way for his enthronement.
The Tooro Kingdom is a cultural institution in western Uganda and does not exercise constitutional political authority, but the king remains an important traditional figure for the Batooro people.
