The people native to the kingdom are the Batooro, and their language is likewise called Rutooro.[2][4] The Batooro and Banyoro speak closely related languages, Rutooro and Runyoro, and share many other similar cultural traits.[4] The Batooro live on Uganda's western border, south of Lake Albert.[2]
Administration of Tooro
The administration of the Tooro Kingdom, located in Fort Portal, Uganda, is headed by the Omukama of Tooro (King) Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV, who holds supreme authority. Key decision-making occurs through the Supreme Council (Orukurato) at the Mucwa headquarters, with a Prime Minister (Omuhikirwa) appointed by the King to lead the Cabinet.
Key administrative features include: Leadership Structure: King Oyo has ruled since 1995, often relying on a cabinet for daily operations, with recent leadership under Prime Minister Calvin Armstrong Rwomiire Akiiki (appointed Feb 2025).[5]
Cabinet and Ministries: The cabinet, appointed by the Prime Minister, manages sectors such as Local Government, Culture, Agriculture, Health, and Tourism. Orukurato (Parliament): The council includes representatives from various clans and meets regularly to discuss kingdom affairs.
Administrative Reforms: The administration frequently reshuffles its cabinet to improve efficiency, such as the 2025, 2023, and 2022 shake-ups aimed at strengthening development, health, and education initiatives.
Cultural Preservation: The administration focus on preserving heritage, including rehabilitating royal burial sites (Amagasani).
Omujwera Omusuga
The Omusuga is the head of the Babiito royal clan (Ababoyo) within Tooro Kingdom. His role combines administrative oversight of the royal family with critical advisory functions to the monarchy. Historically, the Omusuga has been responsible for overseeing the general administration of the kingdom, particularly during transitions or regencies.[6] Acting as a figurehead for conciliation and arbitration in misunderstandings within the royal clan. Serves as key advisor to the Omukama of Tooro on matters of culture and royal property. He participates in regency appointment Consulting with the Kingdom’s supreme council (Orukurato) on the appointment of regents for a minor King, as was the case before King (Omukama) Rukidi IV turned 18. As a Top Leader he is Esteemed to be high in Protocol and sits at the Royal Parlor (Omusanga) during Coronation.
Most notable Chief Princes;
Omujwera Omubiito (Prince) Keith Kagoro Amooti served in the reign of his brother, Rukidi III
Omujwera Omusuga Omubiito (Prince) Charles Kayondo Kamurasi Akiiki is the current Omusuga (head of royal clan)/chief prince.[7] He is assisted by Omukonyezi wa Musuga Omujwera Omubiito (Prince) Kato Benard Ocaaki Rwakatale Abbooki.[8]
Batebe (Princess Royal)
The Batebe (Princess Royal) is the official sister of monarch Omukama of Tooro and is vital to the administration's core through her role as the most senior Princess in the land who is traditionally most powerful woman after the Nyina Omukama (Queen Mother). The Batebe is the King's primary advisor in matters of traditional law and female leadership. She is the Head of Princesses to guide them on customs, Etiquette, language and feminine matters. and also guides the King on the same issues with his Queens (Abago). As a Top Leader she is Esteemed to be high in Protocol and sits at the Royal Parlor (Omusanga) during Coronation.
Princess (Omubiitokati) Ruth Nsemere Komuntale Farquharson Akiiki, is the current Omujwera Batebe (Princess Royal) of Tooro, having succeeded her aunt, Princess Elizabeth of Tooro, in 1995.[10] She is assisted by her aunt the assistant Batebe Princess (Omubiitokati) Margaret Juliana Komubaizi Abwooli.[11]
Princess (Omubiitokati) Ruth Komuntale Keesi Bahindi, installed as Rubuga (sister to the King) to her brother, Omukama Rukidi III, in 1929, later becoming Omujwera Batebe in 1961.
Princess (Omubiitokati) Mukakiyabara Maliza Bagaya Rwigirwa:Installed as Batebe to her brother the 10th Omukama of Tooro, Kyebambe III in August 1891.
History
The Tooro Kingdom evolved out of a breakaway segment of Bunyoro sometime before the nineteenth century.[12] It was founded in 1830 when OmukamaKaboyo Olimi I, the eldest son of Omukama of BunyoroNyamutukura Kyebambe III of Bunyoro, seceded and established his own independent kingdom.[4][2] Absorbed into Bunyoro-Kitara in 1876, it reasserted its independence in 1891.
As with Buganda, Bunyoro, Ankole, and Busoga, Tooro's monarchy was abolished in 1967 by the Government of Uganda, but was reinstated in 1993.[2]
Aerial view of the Tooro Palace at Karuzika Hill overlooking Fort Portal Town
The Austrian painter Friedensreich Hundertwasser (1928–2000) spent some time there in the 1960s where he painted a number of works and named them after the kingdom.[13][14]
The Batooro people have a strong culture but similar in stratification to Banyoro.[3] They have got a strong cultural naming system (PET NAME) known as Empaako.[15][16] With the Empaako naming system, children are given one of twelve names shared across the communities in addition to their given and family names.[16][17] Addressing someone by his or her Empaako is a positive affirmation of cultural ties. It can be used as a form of greeting or a declaration of affection, respect, honour or love.[16][15] Use of Empaako can defuse tension or anger and sends a strong message about social identity and unity, peace and reconciliation.[16][18] The Empaako names are: Amooti, Abbooki, Akiiki, Ateenyi, Adyeri, Atwoki, Abwoli, Araali, Acaali, Bbala, and Okaali.[16][18][17]
Abakama baTooro (Kings of Tooro)
The following is a list of the Abakama of Tooro since 1800:
123Turyahikayo, B. (1976). "Review of A Dynastic History "The Kingdom of Toro in Uganda"". Transafrican Journal of History. 5 (2): 194–200. ISSN0251-0391. JSTOR24520247.
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