Tooro Crown Prince Rukidi mourns brother, calls for unity
During the funeral service at St John's Cathedral in Fort Portal, Kijanangoma said the death of his brother had brought immense pain to the royal family and Tooro.
Mourners gathered at St John's cathedral in Fort portal for the funeral service of Prince David Kaijanangoma. (Photos by Jonan Tusingwire)
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Crown Prince Edward Kijanangoma Rukidi has called for unity among the people of Tooro as the kingdom mourns the death of his elder brother, Prince David Kaijanangoma.
Kaijanangoma died on Tuesday at the Uganda Cancer Institute after battling throat cancer, barely a week after the burial of his cousin and former Tooro king, Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV, who also died of cancer.
During the funeral service at St John's Cathedral in Fort Portal, Kijanangoma said the death of his brother had brought immense pain to the royal family and Tooro.
“We have a lot of pain for losing King Oyo and Prince David Kaijanangoma. Prince Kaijanangoma was not only my brother but was also a son of Tooro. Let us all keep together, work for Tooro and stop dividing ourselves,” he stated in a message read for him by the kingdom assistant Musuuga, Bernad Rwakatare.
Selected by the Babiito royal clan to succeed Oyo, Kijanangoma also thanked President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni for paying the medical bills of his brother while in hospital.
The king in waiting also extended his condolences to the Queen Mother, Best Kemigisa, over the death of his cousin Rukirabasaija Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV, who succumbed to cancer last month while undergoing treatment in Dallas, Texas, in the USA.
More calls for unity
The call for unity was sounded through the eulogies from different mourners.
Tooro Prime Minister Calvin Armstrong Rwomire called on leaders to unite the people and appreciate the positive contribution of those who have died.
“I call upon leaders to unite the people. Let us appreciate the good things the late did,” Rwomire said.
“Last week, we buried our king, Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV and the whole world was here, but we cannot remain orphans. We sat as the Babiito and got another king,” Kamurasi said.
He thanked persons whom he said stood with the Babiito family during the mourning period, saying the family had endured tough times but remained strengthened by their faith.
Mayor calls for prayers against cancer
Fort Portal Central Division mayor Joram Bintamanya called for prayers against cancer, saying the disease was increasingly affecting people in the region.
“We need to pray for the spirit that brings cancer to our people to stop. All our people, old and young, are being taken by cancer,” Bintamanya said.
He also praised Kamurasi for what he described as standing his ground in protecting the interests of Tooro during the period following Oyo's death.
Bintamanya emphasised that Tooro belongs to everyone, including the Babiito, the ruling royal clan.
“Babiito is just a ruling clan. Tooro is our kingdom, all of us,” he said.
Futile overthrow
In early March 2015, David Kiijanangoma, a grandson of King George Rukidi III, declared himself king of Tooro, claiming that he had overthrown King Oyo.
Camping at Rwengoma Palace in Fort Portal, he unsuccessfully attempted to organise a rival coronation.
Kaijanangoma claimed that he is suitable for the throne, describing his younger cousin as an "absentee king".
Reconciliation with Oyo
Kaijanangoma's sister, Grace Kaijanangoma, said her brother had reconciled with Oyo by the time of his death.
She said his actions and statements during the 2015 dispute were driven by his love for Tooro, his family and people who could not speak for themselves.
Grace praised Kamurasi for standing his ground during the recent succession controversy and thanked the 21-member committee that selected the new king.
Challenge for crown prince king
Kaijanangoma's friends described him as a generous man who loved helping people in need.
Andrew Irumba, on behalf of his friends, challenged the new king to recognise that he had inherited more than a throne.
“He has inherited more than a throne. He has inherited the trust, sacrifices and the people who are yearning for a new beginning,” Irumba said.
He urged the Crown Prince to ensure that his coronation marked the beginning of a new chapter for Tooro.
“His coronation must not merely mark the beginning of another era, but a new beginning,” he said.
I wanted more time with my husband
Kaijanangoma's widow, Winnie Mbabazi, described him as a loving father who had many plans for the future.
“I wanted more time with my husband. I wanted to see him recover. I wanted to see him watch his children grow,” she said.
Kaijanangoma was born on April 15, 1967, to Prince Christopher Paul Kijanangoma and Ruth Kugonza.
Aged 59, he succumbed to cancer of the esophagus.
He is survived by a widow and seven children.
He was buried on Friday at Karambi Royal Tombs, the same grounds where thousands gathered last Saturday, September 12th, for the burial of his cousin, King of Tooro Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi 1V.