Tooro unveils coronation programme, mock palace attack planned
The coronation celebrations will begin on Monday, September 28, 2026, with thousands of people expected to accompany the king from Rwengoma Palace on Bwamba Road to Karuziika Palace in a symbolic night 'attack' to take over the royal palace.
Richard Rwabuhinga. (Photo by Jonan Tusingwire)
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Tooro Kingdom has unveiled a detailed programme for the coronation of Omukama Edward Kaijanangoma Rukidi Nyabongo I, including a night procession depicting an attack on Karuziika Palace.
The coronation celebrations will begin on Monday, September 28, 2026, with thousands of people expected to accompany the king from Rwengoma Palace on Bwamba Road to Karuziika Palace in a symbolic night 'attack' to take over the royal palace.
According to Richard Rwabuhinga, the head of protocol for the coronation organising committee, the procession will begin at 10:00 pm.
“We shall gather at Rwengoma Palace at 10:00 pm. After 10:00 pm, we shall begin our trek towards the main palace at Karuziika in an assumed attack that we are coming now to take over the royal palace at Karuziika,” Rwabuhinga said during a press conference at Karuziika Palace on Saturday (September 26).
He said the king would be accompanied by thousands of people carrying traditional lamps made from well-dried reeds as they walk through Fort Portal city towards the palace.
At the Mugabante entrance of Karuziika Palace, a mock battle will be staged between the forces of Prince Charles Kamurasi, the Musuuga, and those of the incoming King.
“The forces of the Musuuga will be subdued, including the army he has found in the palace, and the King will take over,” he said.
Members of the general public will end the procession at Mugabante, while the King and members of the royal family will proceed into the palace to perform other rituals.
The night will also mark the restoration of the royal drums, which were placed upside down following the death of former Omukama Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV.
Rwabuhinga said the King would turn the drums back to their normal position as part of the rituals leading to the coronation.
He said the ritual was expected to continue until morning, with the King not expected to sleep because of the responsibility attached to the ceremony.
The following morning, Tuesday, September 29, members of the public are expected to start arriving at the coronation venue from 7:30 am, while VIPs will begin arriving at 8:00 am.
At 8:45 am, the king will leave Karuziika Palace for St John's Cathedral Kabarole for a religious service.
“It is our culture that we cannot coronate the King in Tooro without reporting at St John's Cathedral for a blessing,” he said.
The service will be led by the bishop or archbishop, with no speeches expected apart from a vote of thanks by the Musuuga.
After about one-and-a-half hours, the King will return to Karuziika Palace, where the official coronation programme will begin.
For the first time since the death of King Oyo, the Tooro Kingdom anthem will be sung, and the Kingdom flag raised to full mast. Rwabuhinga said the singing of the Kingdom anthem had been suspended following Oyo's death as part of the mourning arrangements.
The official ceremony will have five speeches. They will include remarks by the chairperson of the organising committee, a speech by the Musuuga, Prince Charles Kamurasi, in which he will formally abdicate and hand over authority to the new king, a speech by the gender minister, a speech by the new king and remarks by the Minister of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities, Tom Butime.
Butime will then invite President Yoweri Museveni, who is expected to be the chief guest. The crowning ceremony will follow, during which the new king will officially receive the crown.
After the coronation, the king will proceed to Mucwa to meet the princesses and perform another traditional ritual with them.