Omukama wa Tooro (translates to the King of Tooro) is the official title given to the king of Tooro in Uganda. Ugandan kingdoms currently function "more as cultural institutions than political powers".
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. He broke away and formed his own independent kingdom, establishing the Tooro monarchy, continuing the ancient Babiito dynasty linked to the legendary Kitara empire with earlier legendary rulers like the Tembuzi and Chwezi. 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.
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.
Election of kings Tooro kingdom runs a hereditary system of succession, and the successor is determined by royal lineage.
Current kingship The most recent Omukama of Tooro is Edward Rukidi Nyabongo I, who ascended the throne in 2026. He is the 14th ruler of this kingdom, which originated as a secession from Bunyoro Kingdom.
List of Abakama ba (Kings of) Tooro The following is a list of the Abakama of Tooro: +No.NameReignNotes1Kaboyo Omuhundwa Kasusunkwanzi Olimi I1822–1861Founder and first Omukama2Kazana Ruhaga I1861–1866Killed by his brother Nyaika3Nyaika Kasunga Kyebambe I1866–18711st time4Kato Rukidi I18715Nyaika Kasunga Kyebambe I1871–18722nd time6Nyaika Mukabirere Olimi II1872–18757Rukidi II18758Rubuubi Kyebambe II18751st time9Kakende Nyanuyonjo1875–18761st time10Katera1876–187711Rubuubi Kyebambe II1877–18792nd time12Kakende Nyanuyonjo1879–18802nd time; Interregnum under Bunyoro rule followed Kakende's reign, lasting from 1880 to 189113Kyebambe III1891–192814George David Matthew Kamurasi Rukidi III1928–196515Patrick David Matthew Kaboyo (Rwamuhokya) Olimi III1965–1995 Son of Rukidi III. Monarchy abolished by the Ugandan government between 1967 and 199316Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV1995–2026Son of Olimi III17Edward Rukidi Nyabongo I2026–presentGrandson of George Rukidi III
See also Omukama of Bunyoro Kabaka of Buganda Tooro Kingdom Omugabe of Ankole Omukama
References