The Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) and PLU Chairman, Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, has declared the Tooro King elect, Edward Kijanangoma Nyabongo I as the new King of Tooro Kingdom.
“My fellow Ugandans the new Omukama of Tooro is His Majesty Edward Rukidi Nyabongo I. Long may he reign. God bless him always. God bless Tooro” he said.
He added, “The Bachwezi have approved him”.
The announcement on his X handle on Tuesday, came hours after the death of David Kiijanangoma Araali, who was the elder brother of the newly elected Tooro King, to throat cancer on Tuesday.
Earlier on, Gen Muhoozi revealed that he had urged veteran journalist and PLU member Andrew Mwenda to desist from commenting about the kingdom’s succession battle.
“I have instructed comrade @AndrewMwenda not to speak about the issues of Tooro again. He will stop it immediately. Once again, as PLU we commiserate with the great Batooro people on the tragedy that befell all of us. May the soul of the late King Oyo rest in peace” he posted.
However Muhoozi’s declaration comes days after the Attorney General, Dr Sam Mayanja, advised his father President Yoweri Museveni that the late Oyo’s will should be followed in selecting the next Tooro Kingdom King.
In a legal opinion dated September 12th, Dr Mayanja notes that the country’s constitution, the Institution of Traditional or Cultural Leaders Act and the customs and traditions of Tooro provide the legal framework for determining who succeeds a deceased king, in the courts of law.
“King Oyo’s will should be followed. Its validity can only be challenged in the courts of Law” he said.
