Prince David Kijanangoma, a member of the Tooro Babiito royal family, was laid to rest at the Karambi Royal Tombs in Fort Portal on Friday, as the kingdom mourned its second prominent royal in less than two weeks.
Kijanangoma, 59, died on September 15, 2026, at the Uganda Cancer Institute in Mulago after battling cancer. He was the son of the late Prince Christopher Paul Kijanangoma and Ruth Kugonza and was a brother to Prince Edward Rukidi Kijanangoma, who was recently selected by the Babiito royal clan as Tooro’s next king.
Hundreds of mourners gathered at St John’s Cathedral in Fort Portal for the funeral service before his body was taken to the Karambi Royal Tombs, where the late Omukama Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV was buried on September 12.
Oyo, aged 34, died on August 27 after battling cancer while undergoing treatment in the United States. His death plunged Tooro into mourning and was followed by a contested succession process.
Kijanangoma’s death therefore came only three days after Oyo’s burial.
Reconciliation with Oyo
During Friday’s funeral, Kijanangoma was remembered in part for his eventual reconciliation with his cousin, King Oyo.
The relationship between the two royals had previously been strained. In 2015, Kijanangoma publicly opposed Oyo’s reign and was accused of attempting to challenge the young king’s authority.
The two later reconciled in 2017.
According to Prince Edward Rukidi Kijanangoma, Kijanangoma had written to Oyo seeking forgiveness for any wrongs committed during the king’s reign. Oyo subsequently sent messages through Tooro officials confirming that he had forgiven his cousin.
Edward, speaking through Assistant Musuuga Kato Rwakatale, said the reconciliation was a significant moment for the royal family.
President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, in a condolence message delivered by Maj Gen Henry Masiko Rusoke, described Kiijanangoma’s death as a further loss for Tooro following Oyo’s death.
Museveni said Kijanangoma had been committed to preserving Tooro’s customs, norms and language and extended condolences to the family over what he described as the loss of two royals in quick succession.
Remembered as writer and family man
Kijanangoma’s widow, Winnie Mbabazi, described him as a generous man, gifted writer and devoted father.
The couple had seven children.
Mbabazi said Kijanangoma had planned to write books drawing on his knowledge and experiences but died before fulfilling the ambition.
“He had plans to write books when he had so much knowledge, so many thoughts and so many stories,” she said during the funeral service.
Family members also remembered him as outspoken and committed to issues of fairness and justice.
At a smaller family funeral service held at St Luke’s Church in Ntinda on Thursday, his sister Grace Kaija asked people whom Kiijanangoma may have offended to forgive him, saying his words were sometimes misunderstood.
Royal succession
Kijanangoma’s burial comes as Tooro continues to navigate a contested succession following Oyo’s death.
His younger brother, Prince Edward Rukidi Kijanangoma Nyabongo I, was announced by the Babiito royal clan as the next Omukama. The clan subsequently set September 29 as the date for his coronation.
The succession process has, however, faced disagreement from sections of Oyo’s family, who have argued that the late king’s reported will should be respected in determining his successor.
For the Babiito royal family, Kijanangoma’s burial now closes another chapter of mourning barely a week after the kingdom buried King Oyo.
Two royal deaths. One kingdom still negotiating grief, memory and succession.
