Ugandan kingdom picks new monarch to succeed King Oyo Nyimba
King Oyo Nyimba died last month in the US where he was receiving treatment for cancer.
A traditional Ugandan kingdom has announced the selection of Prince Edward Rukidi Kijanangoma as its new monarch following the death of King Oyo Nyimba. The 34-year-old Oyo Nyimba passed away on August 27 in the United States, where he was receiving treatment for cancer. Oyo Nyimba became the world's youngest reigning monarch when he took the throne at the age of three in 1995, according to Guinness World Records.
At the time of his coronation, he appeared as a young boy seated in his chair, playing with a toy as his small body was dwarfed by the royal crown and robes. The royal clan's succession committee announced Kijanangoma's selection during a press conference in the kingdom's capital, Fort Portal. This choice contradicts an earlier claim by the kingdom's Prime Minister, Calvin Armstrong Rwomiire, who stated that the unmarried Oyo Nyimba had left behind a child as his heir.
Oyo Nyimba's remains were repatriated to Uganda from the United States on Friday, and preparations are underway for his burial on Saturday at the royal tombs near his palace in Fort Portal. Despite Uganda being a constitutional republic, Oyo Nyimba ruled over Tooro, one of the country's ancient kingdoms known for its cultural and social influence.
Written by urgent.news from SABC News's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
