A traditional kingdom in western Uganda has chosen a television journalist as its new monarch following the death of King Oyo Nyimba, who became the world’s youngest reigning king when he ascended the throne at the age of three.
The Tooro Kingdom’s royal clan succession committee announced on Wednesday that Prince Edward Rukidi Kijanangoma, a news anchor and editor with Uganda’s state broadcaster UBC, had been selected to succeed Oyo.
The announcement was made at a press conference in Fort Portal, the capital of the Tooro Kingdom.
Oyo died in the United States on August 27 at the age of 34 while receiving treatment for cancer.
Although Uganda is a constitutional republic, traditional kingdoms including Tooro continue to hold significant cultural and social influence.
Oyo was crowned king in 1995 when he was just three years old, earning recognition from Guinness World Records as the world’s youngest reigning monarch at the time.
Footage from his coronation famously showed the young king sitting on the throne and playing with a toy while wearing oversized royal robes and a crown.
During his reign, Oyo also served as a United Nations goodwill ambassador and supported campaigns aimed at combating HIV and AIDS.
The selection of Kijanangoma appears to contradict an earlier statement by Tooro Kingdom Prime Minister Calvin Armstrong Rwomiire, who said Oyo, who was unmarried, had left behind a child considered his heir.
Oyo’s body was returned to Uganda from the United States on Friday. His burial is scheduled to take place on Saturday at the royal tombs near his palace in Fort Portal.
