The selection of Prince Edward Rukidi Kijanangoma as the next King of Tooro has opened new discussions about his personal life, family background and the cultural expectations that come with occupying the kingdom’s highest traditional position.
Royal elders have revealed that although Kijanangoma is currently married to Rebecca Amoding-Rukidi, he may be expected to take another wife from Tooro who understands the kingdom’s traditions and cultural practices.
The elders said the additional marriage would not necessarily mean that the King-designate should end his current marriage, but rather that Tooro traditions require the king’s senior wife, known as Omugo, to have a strong understanding of the culture she represents.
Prince Araali Kasagama, a member of the Tooro royal family, explained that Kijanangoma’s marriage history should not prevent him from becoming king, but cultural responsibilities must also be considered.
Kasagama revealed that he personally witnessed the marriage between Prince Edward Kijanangoma and Rebecca Amoding, saying the royal family participated in the traditional marriage process.
“I did witness the marriage of Prince Edward Kijanangoma to Mrs Amoding. We paid dowry and graced the function at their home in Mukono, and later they wedded,” Kasagama said.
However, he insisted that the role of Omugo requires someone who understands Tooro customs and can properly represent the culture of the kingdom.
“But still, he will have to get a spouse who is acquainted with Tooro culture to be able to preside over the culture of Tooro,” he said.
Kasagama clarified that this expectation does not mean Kijanangoma must divorce Rebecca Amoding, who is a human resource professional from the Teso sub-region.
Amoding currently works as a Human Resource Manager at Vivo Energy Uganda and has previously worked with organisations including the World Food Programme and Unilever.
According to Kasagama, Tooro royal traditions have historically allowed kings to have multiple wives, with previous monarchs having more than one spouse.
“In Tooro there is a saying that a king is never monogamous,” Kasagama explained, adding that some former Tooro kings had several wives.
He cited former Omukama Sir George David Rukidi III as one of the kings who had multiple wives, saying such traditions existed within the royal institution.
Kasagama said the issue is not about replacing Kijanangoma’s current wife but ensuring that the kingdom’s cultural responsibilities are properly represented.
“The principle here is that as Omugo, you cannot preside over a culture that you do not understand,” he said.
The royal elder also revealed new details about Kijanangoma’s previous marriage, saying the King-designate was previously married to a Rwandan woman before his current marriage to Rebecca Amoding.
Kasagama said Kijanangoma had children from his first marriage, adding that his relationship history was already known within royal circles.
“In his first marriage to a lady from Rwanda he had children and Amoding is his second wife. These are not secrets. But also she is not his last,” Kasagama stated.
Kijanangoma previously worked in Rwanda before returning to Uganda, where he later joined Uganda Broadcasting Corporation (UBC).
At UBC, he worked as a news anchor, editor and resource manager, becoming a familiar face to many Ugandans.
His selection as successor to the late King Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV has, however, remained controversial, with some members of the royal family rejecting the decision.
Some royals have argued that the late King Oyo’s reported son should be considered in the succession process, pointing to provisions they say were contained in his will.
The Babiito clan, which handled the succession process, selected Kijanangoma based on traditional succession arrangements and interpretations of Tooro customs.
The debate over his leadership has therefore extended beyond succession and into questions about the cultural expectations, responsibilities and traditions attached to the Tooro throne.
As preparations continue for the transition of leadership, attention remains focused on how Kijanangoma will balance his personal family life with the demands of leading one of Uganda’s most respected traditional institutions.
