Prince David Kiijanangoma, a member of Tooro’s royal family and elder brother of Prince Edward Rukidi Kiijanangoma, has died after a long battle with cancer.
Prince Edward announced his brother’s death on Tuesday, days after the burial of the late Tooro King Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV.
“It’s with a heavy heart that I announce the untimely passing on of my elder brother, Prince David Kijanangoma. Prince David has lost a long time battle to cancer,” he wrote on X.
Tooro Kingdom assistant Musuuga Kato Rwakatale also confirmed the death, saying a detailed funeral programme would be announced.
In a separate statement, the family said: “It is with deep sorrow that the family of Prince David Kiijanangoma announces his peaceful passing. Funeral arrangements will be communicated.”
Prince had been receiving cancer treatment
Prince David had reportedly been battling cancer for more than a year.
In April, his family and friends launched a public fundraising campaign seeking financial assistance for specialised treatment abroad.
The prince was reportedly seeking about Shs700 million to undergo treatment in India after spending much of his personal savings on medical care in Uganda.
He had most recently been receiving treatment at the Uganda Cancer Institute in Kampala for what was reported to be stage three throat cancer.
His family has not provided further details surrounding his final days.
Death follows King Oyo’s burial
Prince David’s death comes less than a week after Omukama Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV was buried at the Karambi Royal Tombs on 12 September.
King Oyo died on 27 August after battling cancer, according to members of his family.
Prince David was a grandson of the late Omukama Sir George Rukidi III through his father, Prince Christopher Paul Kiijanangoma.
He was also a brother of the late Happy Kiijanangoma, who was killed in Fort Portal in 1995.
His younger brother, Prince Edward Kiijanangoma Nyabongo, was declared successor to King Oyo by a section of the Babiito royal clan on 9 September.
The declaration has been disputed by members of King Oyo’s immediate family, who maintain that the late monarch’s son is the rightful heir and that the succession should be determined in accordance with the king’s will.
Prince Edward has therefore not yet been universally recognised as Tooro’s new king.
Previous disagreements with King Oyo
Prince David was previously involved in disagreements over the leadership of Tooro Kingdom during King Oyo’s reign.
He publicly expressed ambitions to become king, arguing that he wanted to unite the Batooro and rebuild kingdom institutions which he believed had been poorly managed.
Kingdom officials at the time accused him of attempting to challenge King Oyo’s authority.
In March 2015, Prince David was arrested and charged with criminal trespass amid allegations that he intended to overthrow King Oyo.
He and King Oyo later met President Yoweri Museveni at Njara State Lodge in Fort Portal in an attempt to resolve their disagreements.
Following the meeting, President Museveni established a committee led by the late Ruwenzori Diocese Bishop Reuben Kisembo to examine challenges affecting the kingdom and recommend possible solutions.
Calls for reconciliation
In April 2017, Prince David called for dialogue with King Oyo and sought President Museveni’s intervention in resolving their differences.
By February 2019, he had publicly declared that he had made peace with the king.
Prince David also denied allegations that the government had financially influenced him, saying his actions were motivated by a desire to restore Tooro’s former glory.
As part of reconciliation efforts, President Museveni directed the Ministry of Internal Affairs to consider offering Prince David employment and pledged support for his farming activities.
His death comes as Tooro’s royal family continues to navigate disagreements over who should succeed King Oyo following the monarch’s death.
