news 28 September 2026 Daily Monitor (Uganda)
High Court Petition Challenges Tooro King Coronation
A last-minute petition filed in the High Court threatens to halt the coronation of Prince Edward Rukidi Nyabongo I as the new King of Tooro. The applicants argue the selection process violated the late King Oyo's will. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/high-court-petition-threatens-to-halt-tooro-king-coronation-5612632
The upcoming coronation of Prince Edward Rukidi Nyabongo I as the new King of Tooro is facing an unexpected challenge. A petition has been lodged with the Fort Portal High Court, seeking to halt the ceremony scheduled for Tuesday, September 29, 2026.
Two individuals, Derick Alitugabira and Juliet Kangume, along with the organization Walezi Wa Katiba, have jointly filed an application for an interim court order. They aim to suspend all coronation proceedings until their main lawsuit, which questions the validity of Prince Nyabongo’s selection, is resolved.
The petitioners, represented by Messrs Thomas and Michael Advocates, assert that the selection process for the new king directly contravened the explicit wishes of the late King Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV. Their court filings state that King Oyo had reportedly left a written will outlining his succession plan.
According to the petitioners’ claims, the late king’s will stipulated that his son should inherit the throne. In the event of his son’s unavailability, the succession was to pass to his cousin. The current petition suggests that this established protocol was not followed, leading to the legal challenge.
The outcome of the High Court’s decision on the interim order will determine whether the coronation can proceed as planned or if it will be postponed pending a full judicial review of the succession dispute.