CNN journalist Christiane Amanpour has incorrectly identified the September 29 coronation of Uganda’s new Omukama as a Nigerian royal ceremony, prompting criticism and corrections from Ugandan social media users.
Amanpour, who has more than three decades of international journalism experience, posted on X describing the newly crowned king as a former television news anchor whose career was notable alongside his accession to the throne.
“The TV anchor who would be king. In Nigeria this week, a new king was coronated with pomp and circumstance — but his resume is what’s really standing out,” Amanpour wrote.
The ceremony she referred to was, however, held in Fort Portal, Uganda, where Edward Rukidi Nyabongo I was installed as the 13th Omukama of Tooro Kingdom.
Nyabongo, 56, succeeded King Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV, who died on August 27, 2026, aged 34 after a 31-year reign.
The coronation took place at Karuziika Palace in Fort Portal on September 29 and was attended by President Yoweri Museveni and other government and cultural leaders.
Nyabongo, a former television journalist and news anchor, pledged to promote unity, preserve Tooro’s cultural heritage and contribute to the development of the kingdom.
The location error quickly drew reactions from Ugandans, who pointed out that the footage and ceremony were from Uganda rather than Nigeria.
Uganda Media Centre’s Alan Kasujja criticised the mistake while urging African journalists and media organisations to take greater responsibility for telling stories from the continent.
“If I didn’t respect Christiane who I’ve watched since Desert Storm- I’d have gone harder,” stated Kasujja, adding, “Anyway, Africans shouldn’t leave the coverages of their stories to people this removed from their realities.”
The error also triggered a wider discussion online about international media coverage of Africa, with some Ugandans arguing that the failure to distinguish Uganda from Nigeria reflected a broader tendency to treat African countries as interchangeable.
The incident comes at a significant moment for Tooro Kingdom, which has been undergoing a transition following the death of King Oyo.
The late king was buried at Karambi Royal Palace on September 12, before Nyabongo’s enthronement two weeks later.
Nyabongo’s accession has also attracted attention because of his previous career in broadcasting, making his transition from television journalism to traditional kingship a central feature of international coverage.
While Amanpour’s post drew attention to that unusual career path, the geographical error overshadowed the story among Ugandan audiences.
The ceremony itself was firmly rooted in Tooro traditions and took place in Fort Portal, western Uganda—not Nigeria.
