Omukama of Toro

The Omukama of Toro (centre) and the British governor of Uganda, Sir Frederick Crawford (right) at the signing of an agreement in Kabarole, Toro, Uganda, late 1950s.

The Omukama of Tooro is the name given to the king of Tooro, one of the East African kingdom of Tooro. The kingdom was founded in 1830 by Omukama Kaboyo Olimi l who was the son of Kyebambe lll Nyamutukura, the king of Bunyoro. Since that time, Tooro existed as an independent kingdom until 1967 when President Apollo Milton Obote banned all kingdoms in Uganda. The kingdoms were reinstated as cultural institutions in 1993.

The Omukama of Tooro and the other kings play a vital role in Ugandan politics as cultural leaders and agents of peace and stability in their respective kingdoms. Tooro and Bunyoro kingdoms enjoy a close relationship; the names of the kings of Tooro, including the rituals, traditions and practices associated with the monarchy are imitations from Bunyoro. The ruling clan in both kingdoms is Biito, and members of the clan are known as Ababiito. The rulers of the kingdom of Bunyoro are known as the Ababiito abajaawa (descendents of Jaawa).

To make a clear distinction between Tooro and Bunyoro , Kaboyo Olimi l created his own lineage, Ababito ababoyo (descendents of Kaboyo), the ruling lineage of the Tooro monarchy. The kingdom of Tooro has been ruled by the following fourteen (14) kings to date.

List of Abakama (Kings) of Tooro

The following is a list of the Abakama of Tooro, starting around 1800 AD:

1. Kaboyo Olimi I, (Kasunsu Nkwanzi) c. 1830 - 1861
2. Kazaana Ruhaga l, c.1861- 1862
3. Nyaika Kasunga Kyebambe I, c. 1862-1863 and c. 1864 - 1874
4. Kato Rukidi I, 1863-64
5. Mukabirere Olimi II, c. 1874 -1876
6. Mukarusa Kyebambe II, c. 1876 - 1877
7. Isingoma Rukidi ll, c. 1877
8. Rubuubi Kyebambe lll c. 1878 and 1879
9. Kakende Nyamuyonjo c. 1878 and 1881 - 1882
10. Katera Rujwenge, c 1878–1879
    a period of Interregnum, 1880–1891; reverted to Bunyoro
11. Daudi Kasagama Kyebambe IV, 1891–1928
12. George David Kamurasi Rukidi III, 1929–1965
13. Patrick David Matthew Kaboyo Olimi III, 1966–1995
    interrupted by the discontinuation by the Ugandan government, 1967–1993
14. Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV, 1995–present

See also

• Omukama of Bunyoro
• Kabaka of Buganda
• Toro Kingdom