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The late Prince David Kiijanangoma has been hailed as a family unifier who had deep love and a strong sense of belonging to the Tooro Kingdom.
His cousin Linda Makulima said he was full of wisdom and humility and had a great gift of bringing the family together.
“Today we have lost a brother, a co-guardian of our family legacy. Tooro has lost a humble prince and a peace maker. David Araali, thank you for teaching us wisdom, humility, and unity, and your work on earth is done," she said during a funeral service at St. Luke Church of Uganda Ntinda on Thursday, 17 September.
Makulima also revealed that for the last three years, Prince David has been engaging the family in discussions concerning issues of their grandfather Sir George David Kamurasi Rukidi III's estate and has harmonised the family.
“We formed a committee, and David, our leader, was wise, very calm, and respectful. Whatever we discussed, he listened and never sought conflict but understanding and wanted our grandfather’s legacy to unite and not divide us,” said Makulima.
Prince David’s elder sister, Grace Akiiki Kiijanangoma, agrees. She described the deceased as a man who always fought for freedom, fairness, and justice.
“We have lost a brave and outspoken person, a voice of the voiceless. He would say anything to defend the voiceless,” she said.
Relatedly, Grace Akiiki Kiijanangoma, a bereaved sister, praised the late Prince David Kiijanangoma for his generosity, noting that he has had giving heart since childhood.
In a similar moving eulogy, Winnie Mbabazi also described her deceased husband as a generous, kind, and so giving man.
Mbabazi told the children to always remember that their father loved them so much and should carry his memory.
Relatedly, Daniella Bella Kabasweka, commended her father for striving hard to fend for them.
"Our Dad worked day and night to pay out school fees, and I will miss him very much,” Kabasweka grieved.
These are some of the eulogises members of the royal family shared during a funeral service to celebrate the life and legacy of the deceased Prince David Kiijanangoma Mugabe at St. Luke Church of Uganda Ntinda.
The service was led by Rev. Anthony Kamukama.
Mourners included the head of the anti-corruption unit, Brigadier General Henry Isoke, and members of the Tooro royal family.
Prince David Kiijanangoma died on September 15, 2026, at the Uganda Cancer Institute while battling cancer of the esophagus.
With the coronation set for later this month, Rukidi was appointed by the Babiito royal clan to replace his cousin Rukirabasaija Omukama Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV, the 13th Omukama of the Kingdom of Tooro, who succumbed to cancer last month.
Prince David Kiijanangoma's burial is set for this weekend at Karambi Royal Tombs in Fort Portal.
He has survived a widow and seven children: six daughters and one son.
Futile overthrow
In early March 2015, David Kiijanangoma, a grandson of King George Rukidi III, declared himself as king of Tooro, claiming that he had overthrown King Oyo.
Camping at Rwengoma Palace in Fort Portal, he unsuccessfully attempted to organize a rival coronation.
Kijananghoma claimed that he was suitable for the throne, describing his younger cousin as an "absentee king.
Education and career
- The late Prince David Kiijanangoma Mugabe attended Kinyamasika Primary School and Kabalore Primary School for his primary education.
- Kololo Senior Secondary School for both ordinary and advanced level education.
- Studied at Sacramento State University in California, United States of America.
- Later worked as a businessman.
