Prince David Kiijanangoma, elder brother of Tooro King-designate Edward Rukidi Nyabongo I, is being laid to rest today at the Karambi Royal Tombs in Fort Portal City, bringing to a close the life of one of the kingdom’s most outspoken royal figures.
The funeral service is underway at St. John’s Cathedral in Ruwenzori Diocese, where members of the Babiito royal family and other mourners have gathered to pay their final respects.
David died on Tuesday, September 15, 2026, at 6:12am at the Uganda Cancer Institute in Mulago after a prolonged battle with cancer. Tooro Kingdom officials confirmed his death, while reports indicate that he had been battling Stage Three throat cancer for more than a year.
He leaves behind seven children—six daughters and a son—and a widow. He was a grandson of former Tooro monarch Omukama Sir George Rukidi III through his father, Prince Christopher Paul Kiijanangoma.
A prince whose life was intertwined with Tooro’s turbulent politics
Prince David’s public life was marked by an extraordinary and sometimes controversial involvement in the affairs of the Tooro Kingdom.
He became increasingly active in kingdom affairs from around 2012. In 2013, he was involved in organising a gathering of great-grandchildren of former Tooro kings, an event that was expected to be attended by the then King Oyo but which the monarch reportedly did not attend.
The disagreements intensified in 2015 when David openly challenged the leadership of his cousin, the late King Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV.
In early 2015, he declared himself King of Tooro, accusing Oyo of failing to adequately perform his responsibilities and describing him as an “absentee king.” David subsequently established himself at Rwengoma Palace in Fort Portal and attempted to organise a rival coronation.
The move triggered a confrontation with the kingdom establishment and authorities. His proposed coronation was blocked by government, while Tooro Kingdom officials rejected his claim and maintained that Oyo remained the recognised monarch.
David nevertheless continued to insist that his intervention was motivated by concerns about the direction of the kingdom. According to accounts from his spokesperson and family associates, he believed Tooro needed stronger royal leadership and greater involvement of the monarchy in kingdom affairs.
A painful final chapter
In 2026, David’s battle shifted from the kingdom’s political arena to a fight for his life.
His family disclosed in April that he was suffering from Stage Three throat cancer and appealed for financial assistance to support specialised treatment. He had reportedly undergone treatment at Nakasero Hospital and the Uganda Cancer Institute but required about Shs700 million for specialised treatment in India after exhausting his personal resources.
His condition subsequently deteriorated, and he continued receiving treatment at the Uganda Cancer Institute until his death on September 15.
His death came only days after another devastating loss for the Babiito royal family and Tooro: King Oyo died on August 27 and was buried at the Karambi Royal Tombs on September 12.
Brother was chosen to succeed Oyo
David’s death has also come at a pivotal moment in Tooro’s succession history.
Following Oyo’s death, the Babiito royal clan’s 21-member succession committee selected David’s younger brother, Prince Edward Rukidi Kijanangoma, as the successor on September 9. The Tooro Supreme Council subsequently endorsed the decision on September 15, the same day David died.
Edward has since been designated Edward Rukidi Nyabongo I, with his enthronement scheduled for September 29 at Karuziika Royal Palace in Fort Portal.
The succession process has, however, faced objections from members of Oyo’s immediate family, who have argued that the late king’s alleged will and his son should determine the succession. The Babiito leadership has maintained its position that the clan followed Tooro customs in selecting Edward.
Final journey to Karambi
Today, David’s final journey takes him to the same royal burial grounds where King Oyo was laid to rest just six days ago.
The Karambi Royal Tombs, along the Fort Portal-Kasese Road, are the resting place of members of the Tooro royal family and Babiito dynasty. David will be buried there this afternoon, bringing to an end a life that passed through the royal family’s triumphs, internal disputes, political controversies and, ultimately, a prolonged battle with cancer.
For Tooro, his death comes at a moment of profound transition: the kingdom is mourning the loss of one prince while preparing to enthrone his younger brother as its next monarch.
