Prince Edward Rukidi Nyabongo I has been formally installed as the new Omukama of Tooro following a series of traditional rituals conducted at Karuziika Palace in Fort Portal City early Tuesday morning.
The installation followed an overnight procession that started at about 11 p.m. Monday at Rwengoma Palace. Nyabongo, accompanied by thousands of his subjects, walked for approximately three kilometres through the streets of Fort Portal before reaching Karuziika Palace at around 3 a.m.
The procession moved under the light of traditional reed lamps as participants sang, ululated and chanted praises in honour of the incoming king.
Kingdom protocol officials said the overnight procession was conducted under traditional rules that prohibit women from taking part in the ritual trek. They clarified that the restriction applied specifically to the traditional ceremony and did not prevent women from attending the church service or the public coronation scheduled for Tuesday.
Upon reaching Karuziika Palace, Nyabongo encountered a traditional mock battle at Mugabante, the main entrance to the royal palace. He and his entourage faced an army led by Musuuga Charles Kamurasi in a ritual meant to symbolise the new king’s conquest and assumption of the royal seat.
The ritual battle also involved a confrontation with a bull, which Nyabongo’s group overpowered and killed.
After emerging victorious, Nyabongo was allowed to proceed into Karuziika Palace to continue with the private rituals associated with the installation of a new Omukama.
Members of the public who had accompanied him remained at Mugabante, while Nyabongo and members of the royal family entered the palace for the next stage of the ceremony.
Inside the palace, traditional ritualists handed Nyabongo the royal drums, including the principal royal drum known as Butwarane. The drum was sounded nine times, prompting jubilation among the thousands of people gathered outside the palace.
The sounding of Butwarane marked one of the key moments in the transition from the reign of the late Omukama Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV to the new monarch.
Additional rituals were conducted inside the palace before Nyabongo was taken to the royal throne. He was presented with traditional royal regalia, including spears and a shield, signifying his assumption of the responsibilities of the Tooro throne.
The overnight ceremony also marked the restoration of royal symbols that had been placed upside down following the death of Omukama Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV. The royal spears and drums were returned to their upright positions as part of the rituals marking the beginning of a new reign.
Lion sculptures at Karuziika Palace and in Fort Portal town were also uncovered, another traditional symbol signifying the conclusion of the mourning period and the start of a new chapter for the kingdom.
The traditional installation will be followed by the public coronation ceremony on Tuesday, beginning with a church service at St. John’s Cathedral in Fort Portal City.
According to the programme issued by Tooro Kingdom, Nyabongo is scheduled to leave Karuziika Palace at 8:45 a.m. for the cathedral, where Bishop Reuben Kisembo of Ruwenzori Diocese will lead the blessing service from 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.
The new Omukama will then return to Karuziika Palace for the formal coronation ceremony, which is expected to be attended by President Yoweri Museveni as the chief guest.
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