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Why Prince Kiijanangoma was buried in Tooro royal tombs
According to Patrick Joseph Baguma Atwooki, who is in charge of the Karambi Royal Tombs in Fort Portal, the deceased prince was buried in the royal tombs because he was a member of the royal family.
Tooro’s Prince David Kiijanangoma was laid to rest at Karambi Royal Tombs on Friday, September 18, 2026. (File photo)
By: Agnes Kyotalengerire, Journalist @New Vision
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Tooro’s Prince David Kiijanangoma was laid to rest at Karambi Royal Tombs on Kasese Highway in Fort Portal on Friday, September 18, 2026, at 3.00 pm.
Often, people think the royal tombs are a preserve for kings and queens, which is not the case.
According to Patrick Joseph Baguma Atwooki, who is in charge of the Karambi Royal Tombs in Fort Portal, the deceased prince was buried in the royal tombs because he was a member of the royal family.
“All children belonging to the Tooro Kingdom royal lineage of Kaboyo I (Abaana bengoma) are traditionally buried in the royal tombs, with the Katikiro receiving the royals' remains," notes Baguma, who is quick to add that he too received the Prince Kiijanangoma.
Prince David Kiijanangoma died on September 15, 2026, at 06:12 am at the Uganda Cancer Institute while battling cancer of the oesophagus.
The Katikiro in charge of the royal tombs (also referred to as the Katikiro of Gasani) acts as the official keeper and custodian of the sacred grounds, granting formal permission for a deceased monarch's or family members’ bodies to enter.
“All children belonging to the Tooro Kingdom royal lineage of Kaboyo I (Abaana bengoma) are traditionally buried in the royal tombs, with the Katikiro receiving the royals' remains," notes Baguma, who is quick to add that he too received the Prince Kiijanangoma.
Prince David Kiijanangoma died on September 15, 2026, at 06:12 am at the Uganda Cancer Institute while battling cancer of the oesophagus.
The Katikiro in charge of the royal tombs (also referred to as the Katikiro of Gasani) acts as the official keeper and custodian of the sacred grounds, granting formal permission for a deceased monarch's or family members’ bodies to enter.
The assistant Omusuga of the Tooro Kingdom, Kato Rwakatale, says the exception lies in how the kings and members of the royal family are buried. For instance, the kings are buried in mausoleums, which are large, stately, freestanding buildings.
In this regard, currently, there are four Mausoleums in Karambi Royal Tombs, the first being for Omukama David Kasagama Kyebambe IV, who died in 1928.
The next is for Omukama Sr. George Kamurasi Rukidi III, who died in 1965, followed by that of Omukama Patrick Olimi Kaboyo III, who died in 1995. The most recently added is that of King Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV, who was buried on September 12, 2026.
Rwakatale further explains that although Tooro Kingdom culture permits selected members of the royal family to be buried in the royal tombs, they are laid in the graveyard. In this regard, Prince Kiijanangoma was buried in the same Karambi Royal Tombs.
In this regard, currently, there are four Mausoleums in Karambi Royal Tombs, the first being for Omukama David Kasagama Kyebambe IV, who died in 1928.
The next is for Omukama Sr. George Kamurasi Rukidi III, who died in 1965, followed by that of Omukama Patrick Olimi Kaboyo III, who died in 1995. The most recently added is that of King Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV, who was buried on September 12, 2026.
Rwakatale further explains that although Tooro Kingdom culture permits selected members of the royal family to be buried in the royal tombs, they are laid in the graveyard. In this regard, Prince Kiijanangoma was buried in the same Karambi Royal Tombs.