President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has urged Tooro Kingdom to strengthen its role in preserving indigenous languages, culture and traditional knowledge as Edward Rukidi Nyabongo I was crowned the new Omukama of Tooro.

President Museveni made the call on Tuesday, September 29th, 2026, while presiding over the coronation at Karuziika Palace in Fort Portal, attended by thousands of Batooro, government officials, cultural and religious leaders, and other guests.

The ceremony marked the end of the mourning period for the late Omukama Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV, who died on August 27th, 2026, after a 31-year reign.

Paying tribute to King Oyo, Museveni recalled a letter the late monarch had written shortly before his death.

“I was very sad because the day after King Oyo was buried here, I was going through my documents and I found a letter which he had written to me on the 15th of June 2026. He was thanking me for a number of things, including appointing ministers from Tooro. This means that by June he was still writing letters,” Museveni said.

He congratulated Omukama Nyabongo I, recalling his previous career as a television news anchor and editor.

“I was watching him on the news as a good news reader in English, so I am sure he will do a good job here,” the President noted.

President Museveni said cultural institutions should help preserve indigenous languages, culture and knowledge while political authority remains with citizens and elected institutions. He also called for stronger families and responsible parenting, linking traditional family structures to social order and public health.

He cautioned cultural institutions against becoming overly possessive of their people, saying good parenting should allow children to grow, establish relationships and find their place in society.

“My grown children shouldn’t be held back or kept around forever. Good parenting means encouraging them to venture out, build relationships, and find their place among fellow Ugandans. Yet some cultural institutions act like possessive parents, saying, ‘Muri bantu bange, mutagenda hara!’ (‘You are my people; don’t go far.’) That is bad parenting, denying people meaningful relationships simply out of fear of losing control over them,” President Museveni said.

Museveni also highlighted his efforts to preserve Ankole long-horned cattle.

“I insisted on keeping Ankole traditional cows. Now Ramaphosa, the South African President, came and when he saw my cows he bought 43 cows from me. Now in South Africa it is a big story,” he said.

The President blessed the new reign and gifted Omukama Nyabongo I 100 cows.

In his maiden address, the Omukama pledged an inclusive reign and promised to work with government to advance development, peace and wealth creation.

“We shall work together in unity, trusting that the Lord shall protect and bless the people of Tooro,” he pledged.

Omujwera Musuuga Charles Kamurasi formally handed authority to the new king, saying, “I have given you all the power since I am the one who has been holding power during the time since Oyo’s death.”

Tourism Minister Tom Butime described the coronation as historic and thanked Museveni for his support.

The Minister of Gender, Labour and Social Development, Gen Henry Tumukunde, said the government recognised the contribution of the late King Oyo and thanked the Babiito for their cooperation throughout the transition.

“We thank you for allowing processes to usher you into office,” he said.

Gen Tumukunde further noted that the new Queen’s roots in the Teso sub-region represented an opportunity to strengthen national unity and noted that the people of Tooro had reciprocated the gesture with love. He said the central government had handled the transition with neutrality to protect the interests of the people of Tooro.

He also cautioned against competing centres of political power within cultural institutions, saying this could create instability, and encouraged kingdoms to build credible institutional capacity.

The Central Organising Committee Chairman, Msrg Dr. Isaiah Mayombo also thanked Museveni for gracing the ceremony and supporting the event.

The ceremony ended with royal drums sounding again and lion statues unveiled, signalling Tooro’s transition into a new reign.