Rebecca Amoding to Become Tooro Queen
Rebecca Amoding is set to become the Queen of Tooro when her husband, Edward Rukidi Nyabongo I, is formally crowned Omukama on September 29, 2026.
However, the eligibility of their children to inherit the Tooro throne will depend on the kingdom’s traditional succession rules, particularly those governing the maternal clan of a prospective heir.
According to The Observer, Rev. Fr. Dr Charles Oyo, spokesperson for the Babiito Royal Clan, has clarified that Nyabongo I’s marriage to Amoding, who is of Iteso origin, does not violate Tooro cultural traditions.
Fr Oyo explained that although Amoding will assume the position of queen, her marriage to the king does not automatically make her a member of a recognised Tooro clan or establish a succession claim for her children.
“She will be like any other wife of the king,” Fr Oyo said during a press conference in Kampala on Thursday.
Tooro Succession Depends on Maternal Clan
Fr Oyo emphasised that under Tooro’s traditional succession customs, a prospective heir must be born to a mother belonging to one of the kingdom’s recognised clans.
He dismissed suggestions that Amoding would have to be adopted into a Tooro clan for her marriage to be culturally recognised.
According to the clan spokesperson, cultural initiation may be possible, but such a process would not necessarily settle questions concerning the eligibility of the couple’s children to inherit the throne.
The clarification comes as Tooro prepares for the coronation of Nyabongo I, with questions surrounding royal succession continuing to attract public attention.
The issue places renewed focus on the role of maternal lineage in determining eligibility for the Tooro throne and the distinction between becoming queen through marriage and qualifying as a royal heir under customary law.
Nyabongo I Coronation Set for September 29
Tooro Kingdom is scheduled to crown Edward Rukidi Nyabongo I on September 29, 2026, at Karuziika Palace in Fort Portal City.
The Babiito Royal Clan selected Nyabongo I following the death of Omukama Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV.
His selection was subsequently endorsed by the Rukurato, the kingdom’s supreme council.
The upcoming coronation is expected to mark a significant moment for the kingdom as it begins a new chapter following the death of King Oyo.
However, the succession process remains contested, with members of the late king’s family raising questions about a reported son of Oyo and his possible claim to the throne.
The dispute has kept the question of royal succession at the centre of discussions surrounding the transition of leadership in Tooro.
Queen Mother’s Official Role Ends After King’s Death
Fr Oyo also addressed the position of the Queen Mother following the death of her son, King Oyo.
He said the Queen Mother ceases to hold an official palace role after the death of the reigning monarch.
The clarification comes amid continued attention surrounding the royal family and the transition of authority within the kingdom.
Government to Support Tooro Coronation
Meanwhile, State Minister for Culture Mary Kuteesa Kamuli said the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development was processing a Gazette notice to recognise Nyabongo I.
She added that the government would support the planned coronation, whose estimated budget stands at approximately Shs1.2 billion.
Fr Oyo, however, declined to disclose the exact amount of donations received or the government’s financial contribution, saying he first needed to verify the figures.
The September 29 ceremony is expected to bring together cultural leaders, government officials and members of the public as Tooro prepares for the formal installation of its new monarch.
As the coronation approaches, the clarification regarding Rebecca Amoding’s position and the succession eligibility of her children adds another important dimension to the kingdom’s transition, highlighting the continuing role of customary law and clan traditions in determining the future of the Tooro monarchy.
