From Newsroom to Royal Palace: Museveni Congratulates Former Journalist King Nyabongo I

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has paid tribute to the late Omukama Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV, describing his contribution to the Tooro Kingdom as remarkable, while calling upon the kingdom’s cultural leaders to strengthen traditional institutions and promote responsible family life.

President Museveni made the remarks on Tuesday, September 29, 2026, as he attended the enthronement of His Royal Highness Edward Rukidi Nyabongo I as the new Omukama of Tooro at Karuziika Palace in Fort Portal.

The ceremony marked a new chapter for the Tooro Kingdom following the death of King Oyo on August 27, 2026, aged 34, after receiving medical treatment in the United States. Oyo had reigned for more than three decades after ascending the throne as a child.

Museveni said he was deeply saddened by the death of King Oyo and recalled discovering a personal letter from the late monarch shortly after his burial.

“I want to salute the memory of King Oyo for the wonderful work he did,” Museveni said.

The President said that a day after Oyo was buried, he was going through his documents when he came across a letter written to him by the late King on June 15, 2026.

According to Museveni, the letter expressed appreciation for several issues, including the appointment of ministers from Tooro.

Museveni said the letter reminded him of the late monarch's contribution and his relationship with the central government.

The President also congratulated the newly enthroned King Edward Rukidi Nyabongo I, who previously worked as a television newsreader and journalist.

“I also congratulate His Highness Nyabongo. I have been watching him on the news and he is a good newsreader. I am sure he will do a good job,” Museveni said.

Nyabongo, formerly known as Prince Edward Rukidi Kijanangoma, was selected by the Babiito Royal Clan following the death of King Oyo. The selection was subsequently endorsed by the Tooro Kingdom's Supreme Council. The coronation was scheduled for September 29 at Karuziika Palace following the completion of traditional installation rituals.

The enthronement followed a period of mourning for King Oyo. Traditional ceremonies began before the formal coronation, including the restoration of royal symbols that had been placed in mourning. The royal drums, which had been silenced, were sounded again, while the lion statues at the palace were unveiled to symbolise the beginning of a new reign.

Museveni calls for responsible family life

In his address, President Museveni urged cultural leaders to pay greater attention to the institution of marriage and the stability of families.

He called for the revival of traditional approaches to marriage, arguing that customary practices historically provided clarity about marriage responsibilities and helped maintain social order.

“I call upon our cultural leaders to thoroughly address the institution of marriage and promote responsible family life,” Museveni said.

“We must go back to our traditional ways of conducting marriages, which provided clarity and helped maintain social order.”

Museveni linked his concern to what he described as serious social and public health challenges facing parts of Uganda, particularly the prevalence of HIV in Western Uganda and other areas.

He contrasted the situation with Karamoja, saying the region had maintained stronger cultural practices around marriage and had recorded lower HIV prevalence.

His remarks placed cultural institutions at the centre of efforts to promote family responsibility, social values and community wellbeing.

President urges protection of indigenous knowledge

Museveni also called upon Ugandans to protect indigenous languages, cultures, traditional knowledge, crafts and scientific practices from disappearing.

He said local knowledge accumulated over generations remains important to Uganda's identity and survival.

“We must also guard our language, culture and indigenous science jealously,” he said.

“Our local knowledge is disappearing.”

The President cited his personal efforts to preserve the Ankole long-horned cattle breed, saying he had continued promoting the cattle despite discouragement from some modern veterinary scientists.

Museveni recalled that he had sold some of the cattle to South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, adding humorously that South Africans now claim the cattle as their own.

The President said the example demonstrated the importance of protecting indigenous resources and knowledge before they are lost.

He urged cultural institutions and communities to preserve traditional crafts, cultural practices, indigenous science and other forms of heritage.

“These are important for our identity and our survival,” he said.

Nyabongo begins new chapter for Tooro

King Edward Rukidi Nyabongo I's enthronement brings to an end weeks of mourning and uncertainty following the death of King Oyo.

The succession process attracted public attention after disagreements emerged within the royal family over the succession. The Babiito Royal Clan and the Tooro Kingdom's Supreme Council ultimately proceeded with Nyabongo's selection and confirmation. The government subsequently confirmed that the kingdom could proceed with the coronation after no formal court appeal had been registered.

Nyabongo's background as a journalist and former television news anchor has also distinguished him from several previous occupants of the Tooro throne. His coronation attracted thousands of Batooro and guests to Fort Portal, with the ceremony combining traditional rituals, religious observance and the formal installation of the new monarch.

During the ceremony, attention was placed on the continuity of Tooro's cultural heritage following the death of King Oyo.

President Museveni's message similarly centred on the role of cultural institutions in preserving traditions while addressing contemporary social challenges.

With Nyabongo now taking up the throne, the Tooro Kingdom enters a new phase in which its cultural leadership will be expected to preserve its heritage, strengthen community institutions and promote values that contribute to the wellbeing of its people.