Rukidi III of Tooro

Claim to the throne

He was son of the tenth Omukama of Toro, Kyebambe III, who reigned from 1928 until 1965. His mother was Damali Tibaitwa. He was born at the Royal Palace at Kabarole, on 6 March 1904. He attended Budo Primary School, Nyakasura School in Fort Portal, Mengo Senior School, King's College Budo and Columbia University. He served as inspector in the Uganda Police Force in 1926. He ascended to the throne upon the death of his father, on 31 December 1928. He was crowned at St John's Cathedral, Kabarole, on 29 January 1929. As his eldest sister, Princess (Omubiitokati) Ruth Komuntale was crowned alongside Rukidi III as Batebe, a role in which she would act as the king's closest advisor.

His reign

Omukama Kamurasi Rukidi III attended the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II at Westminster Abbey in London in 1953. He was made an Honorary Lieutenant in the 4th Battalion (based in Uganda), of the King's African Rifles, from 1928 until 1930. He founded and was the Sovereign Grand Master of the Order of the Lion, Crown and Shield of Toro. He was knighted on 2 June 1962 and received several medals and commendations from the British government, Ugandan government and from the Government of Buganda.

He died at the Royal Palace, Kabarole, on 21 December 1965. He was buried at Karambi Royal Tombs, (Ha'gasani).

Family

Omukama Rukidi III married multiple wives according to tradition;

Omugo Kezia Bonabana Byanjeru of the Abagumba clan who was the principal wife (Omugo w'ekitebe)

Omugo Evelyn Kahinju of the Ababoopi clan who resided at Harukoto and was known as Omugo wa Harukoto

Omugo Theodora Bacwa Abwooli who resided at Kabahango Palace and was known as Omugo wa Kabahango

Omugo Akiiki Zaulia Katukura of the Abaitira clan from Busongora county who resides at the Bulera Palace

Omugo Leah Ngaju, a Princess from Bunyoro, she was a daughter of Omubiito Yoweri Komwiswa, a grandchild of Omukama Kabalega of Bunyoro

Omugo Faith Nyinabarongo Adyeeri who resided at Rwengaju Palace known as Omugo wa Rwengaju

Offspring

Prince (Omubiito) Solomon William Okwiri born 30 October 1928 whose mother was Omugo Kezia Bonabana Byanjeru.

Prince (Omubiito) Stephen Edgar Paul Karamagi born 1934 whose mother was Omugo Evelyn Kahinju. He attended Nyakasura School, Kabarole, King's College, Budo, Sidney Sussex College, Cambridge (LLB), and Columbia University, New York, US. He worked as a diplomat, for the Uganda Government in the 1960s. In 1963, he married Margaret Semugeshi, daughter of Chief Semugeshi, of Bufundu, in Butare, Rwanda. He had issue:

a) Prince (Omubiito) George Kamurasi Karamagi. b. at Cairo, Egypt, 1967 (s/oMargaret). m. Monica Ntiru. He has issue, triplets:

i) Rusetsa Nyangoma Karamagi. b. at Houston, Texas, USA, 2006.

ii) Ruyonga Katto Karamagi. b. at Houston, Texas, USA, 2006.

iii) Rukidi Kizza Karamagi. b. at Houston, Texas, USA, 2006.

b) Prince (Omubiito) Stephen Oyo Karamagi. b. at Mengo, 1970 (s/o Margaret). Has one son Olimi Karamagi

a) Princess (Omubiitokati) Roslyn Kabaramagi (d/o a different mother). She d. at Nairobi, Kenya, 1995, having had issue, a daughter Daphne Kirungi.

b) Princess (Omubiitokati) Evelyn Kahinju. b. in Essex, 1963 (d/o Margaret). m. … Kamau. She has issue, two sons.

c) Princess (Omubiitokati) Jennifer Nadia Komukyeya. b. at Cairo, Egypt, 1966 (d/oMargaret). m. … Rusita. She has issue, two daughters.

Prince (Omubiito) Ruyonga born 27 March 1935 whose mother was Omugo Theodora Bacwa Abwooli