Succession in Tooro's kingdom generates controversy after king's death

He is expected to be crowned this week. Oyo will be buried on Saturday, in a ceremony expected to bring together tens of thousands of people in a remote town near the border with the Democratic Republic of Congo. The king died of cancer and was not married. His death moved many Ugandans who followed his path since childhood and saw him become a beloved leader of the ancient kingdom.

Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni had claimed that Oyo left a young heir, born out of wedlock. The Tooro committee, however, decided not to consider this possibility when choosing Kijanangoma.

Known for his simple style as a presenter, Kijanangoma may have been chosen to please both traditionalists who defend the continuity of the monarchy and those who are against the idea of ​​another child assuming the throne.

The decision, however, could provoke controversy and even a legal dispute if Oyo's admirers feel alienated from the process. The choice was immediately rejected by one of the former king's closest relatives. Ruth Komuntale, Oyo's sister, told local broadcaster NBS she was disappointed and said the decision could cause division and turmoil. According to her, Oyo's will clearly stated that he had left an heir to the throne.

Oyo was crowned in 1995, at the age of 3, after his father's death. At the time, he became known as the youngest king in the world. During the ceremony, he participated in traditional rituals and was taken to the royal cemetery, where he performed a rite of passage into adulthood by managing to throw nine coffee beans into his father's grave.

During his childhood, Oyo was a figure of great fascination, including for world leaders who met him at official events. He was guided by regents chosen by the kingdom until he turned 18.

Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi also became close to the Tooro royal family and even visited Uganda several times. He supported Oyo and the Queen Mother for years until his death in October 2011.

Uganda's traditional kingdoms were outlawed following the country's independence from British colonial rule. The measure was taken by the president who defended national unification. The monarchies were restored in 1993.

Although they have no political authority and are prohibited by law from participating in party activities, traditional royal families still exert influence as guardians of their people's culture and traditions.