Royal family rift after popular TV news presenter chosen to succeed Ugandan king
A succession dispute has emerged in Uganda's Tooro Kingdom following the death of King Oyo. Royal elders have appointed a new monarch, but the late king's family claims this violates his will and have reported restricted movement by security forces.
Why it matters
The conflict highlights the intersection of traditional monarchical structures and modern political tensions in Uganda.
Image source, UBC Image caption, UBC TV news presenter Prince Edward Rukidi Kijanangoma has been selected as the new Tooro monarch
A bitter succession dispute has erupted in one of Uganda's traditional kingdoms, days before the burial of its late king, who until his death had been the world's youngest reigning monarch.
King Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV, who ruled the Tooro Kingdom for more than three decades, was undergoing cancer treatment in the US when he died last month aged 34 .
Royal clan elders have named popular TV news presenter Prince Edward Rukidi Kijanangoma, 56, as the next monarch, but this has been rejected by Oyo's close family.
His sister, Princess Ruth Komuntale, said the late king had left a will written in 2022 naming his young son, whose identity has never been disclosed, as his successor.
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