Generous President; Museveni Gives New Tooro King Nyabongo 100 Ankole Longhorn Cattle

President Yoweri Museveni has gifted the newly enthroned Omukama of Tooro, His Majesty Edward Rukidi Nyabongo I, 100 heads of Ankole longhorn cattle as he begins his reign over the Tooro Kingdom.

The cattle were presented to Nyabongo during his coronation at Karuziika Palace in Fort Portal City on Tuesday, September 29, 2026, where Museveni attended as the chief guest. The gift was among the highlights of the historic ceremony that formally marked Nyabongo’s assumption of the Tooro throne.

Museveni congratulated the new king and recalled seeing him during his earlier career as a television journalist. “I want to congratulate His Highness Nyabongo. I have been watching him read the news as a good newsreader in English, so I am sure he will do a good job in this,” Museveni said.

Nyabongo, formerly Prince Edward Rukidi Kijanangoma, was selected by the Babiito Royal Clan to succeed the late Omukama Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV. He previously worked as a journalist, news anchor and editor at Uganda Broadcasting Corporation before taking on his new role as king.

The coronation came shortly after the death of Oyo, who passed away on August 27, 2026, after more than three decades on the throne. Museveni paid tribute to the late king and revealed that he had discovered a letter Oyo had written to him only after the young monarch had been buried.

Museveni also called for the preservation of Uganda’s indigenous cultures, languages and traditions, saying traditional institutions have an important role in protecting cultural values and indigenous knowledge.

In his first address as king, Nyabongo thanked Museveni and the Government for supporting Tooro during the transition. He pledged to serve the people of Tooro, promote development, preserve the kingdom’s cultural heritage and encourage his subjects to participate in Government programmes aimed at improving household incomes.

Nyabongo also called for unity within the kingdom, urging members of the royal family, clans, religious leaders, elders and the wider Tooro community to work together. “Karuziika is open, come let us build Tooro,” he said, as he formally began his reign following his enthronement.