Omukama of Tooro
Title of the king of Tooro, Uganda
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Omukama wa Tooro (translates to the King of Tooro) is the official title given to the king of Tooro in Uganda.
| Omukama of Tooro | |
|---|---|
| Omukama wa Tooro | |
| Incumbent | |
| Rukidi IV since 12 September 1995 | |
| Details | |
| Style | His Majesty |
| Heir apparent | Prince James Mugenyi |
| First monarch | Olimi I |
| Formation | 1830 |
| Residence | New Tooro Kingdom Palace, Fort Portal |
History
The history of Omukama wa Tooro starts with the kingdom's founding around 1830s by Rukirabasaija Omukama Kaboyo Olimi l Amooti who was the son of Rukirabasaija Kyebambe lll Nyamutukura Amooti, the king of Bunyoro.[1] He broke away and formed his own independent kingdom, establishing the Tooro monarchy, continuing the ancient Babiito dynasty linked to the lengendary Kitara empire with earlier lengendary rulers like the Tembuzi and Chwezi.[1] In the late 1880s the Bunyoro King, Kabarenga temporarily reconquered the Tooro. However, with help from the British colonizers the Tooro prince restored his throne in the 1890s.
In the 1950s, the Uganda National Congress supported the Omukama as he resisted the Central Government's efforts to "rule" Tooro as a district.[2]
Tooro existed as an independent kingdom until 1967 when Apollo Milton Obote banned all kingdoms in Uganda. The kingdoms were reinstated as cultural institutions in 1993.
Today, the Omukama of Tooro and the other kings play a vital role in Ugandan politics as cultural leaders and agents of peace and stability in their respective kingdoms. Tooro and Bunyoro kingdoms enjoy a close relationship.
Election of kings
Tooro kingdom runs a hereditary system of succession, and the successor is determined by royal lineage.[3]
Current kingship
The current Omukama wa Tooro is Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV, who ascended the throne in 1995 at the age of three. He is the 12th ruler of this kingdom, which originated as a seccession from Bunyoro Kingdom.[4]
List of Abakama ba (Kings of) Tooro
The following is a list of the Abakama of Tooro:[1]
| No. | Name | Reign | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kaboyo Omuhundwa Kasusunkwanzi Olimi I | 1822–1861 | Founder and first Omukama |
| 2 | Kazana Ruhaga I | 1861–1866 | Killed by his brother Nyaika[5] |
| 3 | Nyaika Kasunga Kyebambe I | 1866–1871 | 1st time |
| 4 | Kato Rukidi I | 1871 | |
| 5 | Nyaika Kasunga Kyebambe I | 1871–1872 | 2nd time |
| 6 | Nyaika Mukabirere Olimi II | 1872–1875 | |
| 7 | Isingoma Rukidi II | 1875 | |
| 8 | Rubuubi Kyebambe II | 1875 | 1st time |
| 9 | Kakende Nyanuyonjo | 1875–1876 | 1st time |
| 10 | Katera | 1876–1877 | |
| 11 | Rubuubi Kyebambe II | 1877–1879 | 2nd time |
| 12 | Kakende Nyanuyonjo | 1879–1880 | 2nd time; Interregnum under Bunyoro rule followed Kakende's reign, lasting from 1880 to 1891 |
| 13 | Daudi Kasagama Kyebambe IV | 1891–1928 | |
| 14 | George David Matthew Kamurasi Rukidi III | 1928–1965 | |
| 15 | Patrick David Matthew Kaboyo (Rwamuhokya) Olimi III | 1965–1995[6] | Monarchy abolished by the Ugandan government between 1967 and 1993 |
| 16 | Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV | 1995–present[7] |
