Uganda kingdom to crown journalist after succession dispute

Prince Edward Rukidi Kijanangoma Nyabongo II, a journalist and UBC news anchor, was set to be crowned king of Uganda's Tooro kingdom on Tuesday, September 29, after a succession dispute following the death of King Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV.

Prince Edward led a procession through Tooro ahead of the installation ceremony. Tooro is one of Uganda's four historical kingdoms, which now mainly serve as cultural institutions with limited political power.

King Oyo died recently at the age of 34 after cancer. Guinness World Records had recognised him as the world's youngest reigning monarch when he took the throne at age three in 1995.

Oyo's death led to a dispute over the succession. His mother demanded that Oyo's son, who had previously been little known outside a close family circle, should take over. She also claimed she had been put under house arrest during the dispute.

A selection committee from the Babiito royal clan ultimately chose Prince Edward, a cousin of the late king. Ugandan TV images showed large crowds gathered overnight in Tooro for the procession before the ceremony.