Claims that Prince Edward Rukidi Kijanangoma, the UBC news anchor selected by the Babiito clan as the next Omukama of Tooro, has rejected the throne remain unverified as the kingdom’s succession dispute enters a critical phase.

On Wednesday, 9 September 2026, a 21-member Royal Succession Committee of the Babiito clan announced Kijanangoma as the successor to the late Omukama Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV. The announcement was made at Karuziika Palace in Fort Portal.

Within hours, the late King’s immediate family rejected the decision. Queen Mother Best Kemigisa and Princess Ruth Nsemere Komuntale insisted that King Oyo left a will in 2022 naming his biological son as the first heir to the throne. They accused the committee of disregarding both the will and an earlier understanding to suspend succession talks until after the burial.

Since then, reports have circulated on social media and some local platforms suggesting that Kijanangoma himself has declined the offer. One account claimed he privately informed Omusuuga Charles Akiiki Kamurasi that he was “not ready,” citing his Christian faith and concerns over traditional royal expectations. Another report alleged he issued a statement rejecting the throne “out of respect for the late King.”

However, as of Friday afternoon, no confirmed public statement from Kijanangoma has been published by major media houses. The UBC presenter and editor has remained largely silent since the announcement. Credible international and national outlets covering the crisis have reported only the royal family’s rejection of his selection, not a personal withdrawal by the prince.

Meanwhile, the Government has stepped in to mediate. Officials are holding last-ditch talks aimed at resolving the deadlock so that the burial of King Oyo can proceed as planned on Saturday, 12 September, at Karambi Royal Tombs. Kingdom officials have previously stated that traditional burial rites for a Tooro monarch require clarity on succession.

The Babiito committee has maintained its position, with some members daring the opposing side to challenge the decision in court. The Queen Mother, for her part, has appealed for the family to be allowed to mourn and bury her son in peace, describing the current atmosphere as deeply painful.

As the burial approaches, the status of Prince Edward Rukidi Kijanangoma remains one of the central unanswered questions in the unfolding succession drama. Whether he accepts, declines, or continues to stay silent will significantly shape the next chapter of Tooro’s royal history.