Tooro Kingdom is in mourning after the passing of its 15th king, Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV, on Thursday. The kingdom has a rich history dating back to the early 19th Century, when it broke away from Bunyoro Kitara.
Historical evidence shows that Kaboyo had a significant bearing on the centuries-old kingdom. James F M Wilson puts it neatly in his 2021 monograph, A History of Tooro in Western Uganda. He writes plainly and rather powerfully: “Before the coming of Kaboyo, Tooro as such hardly existed.”
During the crowning ceremony at Busabali in present-day Bunyangabu County, Kaboyo took on the title Olimi I. The first king of the Tooro Kingdom had done the unthinkable. He was the eldest son of Nyamutukura Kyebambe III, who served as the 19th King of Bunyoro Kitara from 1786 to 1835. Kaboyo’s father was named Kyebambe, writes Wilson, “because he killed his brother and usurped his throne.”
Olimi IV Kasoma served as king for only four years—1782 to 1786—when he died at the hands of his elder brother. Their father, Duhaga I Cwa Mujwiga, had reigned as the monarch from 1786 to 1835, but was powerless during an onslaught from Buganda that saw Bunyoro Kitara lose Bwera and Kooki. Soon, while in the saddle as king, Nyamutukura would also experience Buganda’s wrath. He had cast his lot with Prince Kakungulu as the son of Kabaka Semakookiro squared off with his brother Kamaanya, who succeeded their father. As a result, Nyamutukura lost most of Buwekula County to Buganda.
Troublesome sons
Much like Kabaka Semakookiro’s sons, the boys Nyamutukura fathered were, per Wilson, “a constant source of trouble.”
Kaboyo, whom Nyamutukura had with Kajote of the Ababwija clan and hailing from Mwenge, was much loved. A favourite of Nyamutukura, Wilson writes.
“This was probably the cause of all that followed since the favouritism of his father brought about resentment amongst his brothers and also among his father’s advisors,” Wilson adds.
Such was the soft spot that Nyamutukura had for his eldest son that many thought Kaboyo was pampered. This account is disputed by many. What is not in dispute is that he was a colourful character, growing a tuft on top of his head and decorating it with beads for good measure. Yet, as Wilson points out, “none of Nyamutukura’s children were certain of who amongst them would succeed to the throne.”
He adds: “as Nyamutukura’s reign continued with no sign of ending, there was a growing frustration among his sons concerning their future.”
The jockeying amongst Nyamutukura’s sons to strengthen their hand culminated in Kaboyo’s rebellion that eventually led to a secession—the birth of Tooro Kingdom.
“It is not possible to know exactly when Kaboyo broke away from his father’s kingdom. Nyakatura says that Nyamutukura died five years after Kaboyo’s rebellion. Since Nyakatura gives the date of Nyamutukura’s death as 1835, this would place Kaboyo’s secession in 1830,” Wilson writes.
“The year 1830 has been accepted by most people as the date of the foundation of Tooro Kingdom, though it is only an approximate date. The only alternative date was put forward by Sir George Rukidi III, who put the date at 1817. He estimated this from his great grandmother, who died, he thought, at the age of 120. She witnessed the secession,” he adds.
Armed resistance
The secession itself was remarkable in more ways than one. Nyamutukura, who was too frail to lead his army, had to be carried and instructed that “Kaboyo should be captured alive, but if he ran away, he should not be chased since he suffered from a chest complaint.” Even in the face of a rebellion, Nyamutukura’s love for his son was there for all to see.
“Kaboyo in fact took no part in the fighting,” writes Wilson, “According to one informant ‘he fought very little, He feared his father and ran away.’ The defence of Kaboyo’s newly acquired territory was left to Kasoro. He led his forces against the Banyoro at Kihwera near Bukuku. Part of the Bunyoro forces were pushed south-westwards to Mandaku where King Nyamutukura was camping.”
Far from pleasantries being exchanged, there was no love lost during the armed resistance. Lives were lost.
“The River Bisanga near Ibonde is believed to be the area where the Banyoro princes and leaders died and because of this it was later called Rwabanyiginya. The success of Kasoro’s forces came from the use of bows and arrows which inflicted heavy casualties on thespian-carrying Bunyoro forces,” Wilson reveals.
“One of the arrows hit Nyamutukura on the left shoulder and gave him two wounds. The injury to Nyamutukura brought the fighting to an end. On receiving his injury Nyamutukura is said to have sent a message to Kaboyo saying that, ‘a child who beats his father regrets in the end. Your people have hurt me.’ Kaboyo ordered Kasoro to look after Nyamutukura which he did,” Wilson adds.
What’s in a name?
Kasoro was the son of Kyahurwa, Nyamutukura’s chief in the Kazingo area. He is the one who persuaded Kaboyo to have a crack at the secession whose success was down to the fact that Tooro forces, outnumbered by their foes, “were armed with bows and arrows as well as spears while the Bunyoro forces only possessed spears.”
After winning a commanding victory, Kasoro served as Kaboyo’s right hand man and, perhaps unsurprisingly, most important chief. A new kingdom had been born. It would be called Tooro.
“There is a hill called Tooro near lazing which is about eight miles west of Fort Portal towards Ruwenzori mountains. The name ‘Tooro’ is thought by some to have been given by Muchwezi King Ndahura who, when passing through that area was so impressed by the friendliness of the inhabitants that he gave it the name ‘Tooro’ meaning ‘festival’,” writes Wilson.
“Another explanation of the name ‘Tooro’ is that when Kaboyo defeated his father, his father said that Kaboyo ‘natorwa’—meaning that Kaboyo was not serious and was only playing around. From the word ’torwa’ (playing) came the name ’Tooro’,” he adds.
There is also a third hypothesis. “Kaboyo may have decided to adopt the name ‘Tooro’ for his kingdom because the people who came to persuade him to establish an independent kingdom came mainly from around Kazingo and near the hill of that name.”
TOORO’S PAST KINGSFirst King
Kaboyo Olimi I
Son of Kajote of the Ababwija clan
Second King
Kazaana Ruhaga I
Son of Byanjeru of the Abagumba clan
Third King
Nyaika Kasunga Kyebambe I
Son of Nyarusweka of the Abasambu clan
Fourth King
Kato Rukidi I
Son of Kabuleta of the Ababito clan
Fifth King
Nyaika Kasunga Kyebambe I
Son of Nyarusweka of the Abasambu clan
Sixth King
Mukabirere Olimi II
Son of Kabwiga of the Abachwezi clan
Seventh King
Mukarusa Kyebambe II
Son of Kahoraho of the Abafunjo clan
Eighth King
Isingoma Rukidi II
Twin brother of Kato Rukidi I
Ninth King
Rububi Kyebambe III
Mother not known
10th King
Kakende Nyamuyonjo
Son of Kasemiire of the Abachwa clan
11th King
Katera Rujwenge
12th King
Kasagama Kyebambe IV (1891-1928)
Son of Victoria Kahinju of the Ababopi clan
13th King
George Kamurasi Rukidi III (1928-1965)
Son of Damali of the Abagweri clan
14th King
Patrick Kaboyo Olimi III (1965-1995)
Son of Kezia Byanjeru of the Abagumba clan
15th King
Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV (1995-2026)
Son of Best Kemigisa of the Babito clan
