By Peter Mabira
FORT PORTAL — The planned coronation of Prince Edward Rukidi Nyabongo I as the new King of Tooro faces a legal challenge after two petitioners and a governance organisation filed an urgent application seeking to halt his installation scheduled for Tuesday, September 29.
The application was filed before the Fort Portal High Court by Derick Alitugabira and Juliet Kangume, together with Walezi Wa Katiba, an organisation promoting the rule of law and good governance.
The applicants are seeking an interim court order restraining the coronation pending the determination of a substantive suit challenging the legitimacy of the prince’s selection.
According to court documents cited in media reports, the petitioners argue that the selection process contradicted the wishes of the late King Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV.
They contend that the late king left a written will indicating that his son should succeed him or, in his absence, his cousin.
The applicants have also sued the Tooro Queen Mother, Best Kemigisa, alleging that she previously stated that the late king had left behind a son. They want the court to compel her to produce the alleged heir.
The petitioners argue that proceeding with the coronation before the dispute is resolved could cause irreversible changes to the kingdom’s leadership succession.
They are asking the court to restrain the respondents, their agents and anyone acting on their instructions from participating in or proceeding with the scheduled installation, as well as any subsequent coronation based on the disputed selection.
The application further states that the petitioners could suffer irreparable damage if the interim order is not granted, while the respondents would not be prejudiced if it is allowed.
The legal challenge comes shortly after Prince Edward Rukidi Nyabongo I was welcomed by members of the royal family from the Babiito clan at Rwengoma Palace ahead of the planned installation.
The dispute now places the succession process before the courts, with the outcome of the interim application potentially determining whether the coronation proceeds as scheduled.
The allegations contained in the petition have not been established by a court, and the substantive dispute remains subject to judicial determination.
