By Monday Akol Amazima
Whenever you entered the gates of the Uganda Broadcasting Corporation (UBC), the name Kija was one of the most popular names in the compound. It was the abbreviated name of the English Bulletin News Anchor and Sub-editor; Edward Rukidi Kijanangoma.
Popularly known as Kija by his workmates, he was a principled, kind and above all, a Born-again Christian. He stressed deadlines, such that whenever it was his turn at the desk, you had to bring in your story for editing in time. Those that could not beat the deadline, would be politely turned away.
Kija’s soft and gentle approach towards life, won him many admirers and friends within the gates of UBC. Like the late Francis Bale, his name had become a household name, especially for those that used to watch UBC news in English. His demeanour and smartness, created a mind-set that he was destined for greater things.
His royalty was known by virtue of his surname—Kijanangoma. It is a name that had been made famous by his two elder brothers, both the late. The name was a clear indication to those that followed monarchical events, as one from the Babiito royal clan of Tooro. Yet, he would not show off to people that he was a prince.
Kijanangoma lived a down-to-earth lifestyle and he loved his job. As much as he was proud of his Tooro identity, he easily got along with all people regardless of their faith, tribe and origin. I guess this is why he easily fell in love and married an Atesot woman from the Iteso tribe of the Eastern Uganda Region. His marriage to Rebecca Amoding is testimony that his royalty never stopped him from getting true friendship and bonds beyond the Tooro Kingdom.
The memories of our first encounter are not lost. After discovering that I spoke and communicated in Rutooro, it was not lost on him to greet me with the empaako (pet name):
“Enyebere, (I have forgotten your pet name),” he started the conversation.
“Eyange Amooti, (My pet name is Amooti),”I replied.
“Taa Amooti? (How are you, Amooti?),” he greeted.
“Enyebere, (I have forgotten your pet name),” I responded.
“Amooti,” he replied.
Incidentally, we shared the same pet name; and this made our connection even stronger. Although he was a news anchor, he sometime hosted talk shows and I would, once in a while, join him to discuss current affairs of the country, live on air. His vast knowledge of current and regional affairs, having previously worked in Rwanda, made his shows interesting.
During the COVID-19 lockdown in 2020, movement was restricted, and only essential workers were allowed at UBC, just like it was for many organizations. Very few vehicles were permitted on the road. He would read his 10p.m bulletin and join us in the UBC van to be dropped home. But we were always many and taking different routes.
Given that we shared the same route with him that was a bit farther from the others we were always dropped late and picked up very early in the morning. To be precise, we would be dropped past mid-night and picked as early as 5a.m.
I remember him making fun of the picking and dropping time that they could cost us our marriages, since we had very little time to be at home. We laughed it off, but this clearly showed how he was a family man who cherished his wife.
Whenever he was part of the team traveling to go to the field for broadcast and live commentary at public functions, he would work with the team leader to ensure that everyone got proper accommodation. He believed in smartness, decorum and fairness as a key factor that facilitated people working together.
The news of his selection as the new Omukama of Tooro, by the Babiito royal clan, could have come as a surprise to many. To those that have closely worked and associated with him it was not so. They know that Tooro has got a king who is going to unite the Batooro and move forward as one entity.
Finally, like King David of Israel many centuries ago, who was least expected to become king during Saul’s reign, Omukama Edward Rukidi Nyabongo I is true testimony that leadership and greatness come from God, who chooses His people at the right time.
