Omukama Edward Rukiidi Nyabongo I, a son to Prince Christopher Paul Kiijanangoma and a grandson of Omukama George David Kamurasi Rukiidi ascended to the throne on September 29th, 2026, after the death of his cousin King Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV who succumbed to cancer at the age of 34 in the United states.
On land, Nabakooba warned village chairpersons against handling disputes and transactions individually, saying they should consult their committees to avoid legal liability.
Nabakooba said stronger coordination between the Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban Development and the Buganda Kingdom would streamline land registration and administration while helping resolve long-standing ownership disputes.
On September 23, 2024, a couple, Joseph Bukenya and Susan Namukasa, was brutally murdered by machete-wielding attackers in Bukomansimbi. This attack was reportedly connected to ongoing land disputes, highlighting the deadly consequences of such conflicts in the area.
Rukiga district has been plagued by ongoing land disputes, often leading to violent confrontations, hence indicating a pattern of violence associated with land ownership conflicts, including other attacks and fatalities related to similar disputes.
Recent reports indicate a troubling surge in violence linked to land disputes in Bukomansimbi and surrounding areas, particularly in Greater Masaka. Police recently reported that between July 22 and August 23, 2024, at least 15 people had been killed in attacks attributed to land conflicts, with many incidents occurring in Bukomansimbi, Lwengo, and Masaka districts.
Disagreements over land ownership and usage have historically led to significant violence, often resulting in loss of life and community destabilization.