FORT PORTAL — Fort Portal City has taken on a festive mood ahead of Tuesday’s coronation of Prince Edward Rukidi Nyabongo I, with royal colours, Tooro flags and traditional dancers filling the city as the kingdom prepares to install its new Omukama.
The king-designate on Monday underwent traditional Okweeza rites at Buhesi Palace in Bunyangabo before travelling to Rwengoma Palace, from where he is expected to lead a night procession to Karuziika Palace later in the evening.
According to journalist Nicholas Bamulanzeki, who documented the activities, Nyabongo was served milk and coffee beans, locally referred to as emwani, during the Okweeza ritual.
The ritual, he reported, carries traditional meanings associated with purity, prosperity and acceptance by the ancestors.
The king-designate will then proceed to Rwengoma Palace ahead of the night procession to Karuziika.
The procession is scheduled to begin at about 10pm, with thousands expected to accompany Nyabongo through Fort Portal City carrying reed-lit torches. At Mugabante, the main entrance to Karuziika Palace, the king-designate will face a traditional mock battle before entering the palace.
The mock battle forms part of the traditional rituals preceding the coronation and symbolises the transfer of authority and the king’s ability to defend the kingdom.
According to the kingdom’s head of protocol, Dr Richard Rwabuhinga, members of the public will stop at Mugabante after witnessing the mock battle, while Nyabongo and members of the royal family proceed into Karuziika for rituals reserved for the royal institution.
The procession will mark a symbolic transition from Rwengoma, the ascension palace, to Karuziika, the royal seat.
The kingdom has said the traditional rites will continue through the night before Tuesday’s formal coronation.
Fort Portal turns royal
The preparations have transformed Fort Portal, with Tooro flags and other royal decorations appearing along major streets.
Bamulanzeki described the city as “buzzing” on the eve of the coronation, citing boda boda riders wearing royal colours, shops selling Tooro flags and traditional dancers entertaining residents.
The festive atmosphere comes after weeks of mourning following the death of Omukama Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV, who died on August 27 and was buried at the Karambi Royal Tombs on September 12.
Recent scenes in Fort Portal have shown residents and visitors gathering around decorated public spaces as the city prepares for the royal ceremony.
More than 50,000 people are expected to attend the coronation and related activities, according to the kingdom.
Queen Mother welcomed to palace
The preparations also included the arrival of Yusta Asiimwe Kijanangoma Amooti, Nyabongo’s mother, at Karuziika Palace on Sunday.
She was welcomed by members of the Babiito royal clan and crowds who gathered along the route as she entered the palace in a traditional procession.
Her arrival is among the traditional activities marking the beginning of the new royal reign.
Coronation on Tuesday
Nyabongo, formerly known as Prince Edward Rukidi Kijanangoma, was selected by the Babiito Royal Clan as successor to Oyo and subsequently endorsed by the Tooro Kingdom Supreme Council.
The Babiito Royal Clan announced September 29 as the coronation date after the Supreme Council endorsed him as the successor.
The formal coronation will take place at Karuziika Palace on Tuesday.
President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has confirmed that he will attend the ceremony as chief guest.
The coronation will formally mark the beginning of Nyabongo I’s reign and the latest transition in the Tooro monarchy following Oyo’s death.
The kingdom has also dismissed reports circulating online that the coronation had been postponed, confirming that the ceremony remains scheduled for Tuesday, September 29.
