By Elias Biryabarema
KAMPALA, Sept 12 (Reuters) – The late Ugandan monarch, Oyo Nyimba, who made global headlines in 1995 when he took the throne of the Tooro Kingdom at age 3, was due to be buried on Saturday, as a succession dispute rages within the royal family.
King Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV died last month at age 34 in the United States, where he was receiving treatment for cancer.
His coronation three decades ago following the death of his father, King Olimi III, made him the world’s youngest monarch. Images of the toddler king donning a crown and royal robes sparked curiosity and adoration around the world.
Thousands of mourners, some dressed in traditional white tunics and bark cloth, filed past the royal palace this week in the kingdom’s capital, Fort Portal, in western Uganda to pay their respects.
SUCCESSION BATTLE
Uganda is led by an elected head of state but retains several kingdoms that pre-date the British colonial era and are seen as bulwarks of traditional identity and heritage.
Oyo’s death has plunged the kingdom into a bitter succession battle. A committee consisting of members of the royal clan announced on Wednesday it had chosen Oyo’s cousin, Edward R...