Hope and uncertainty now define the life of Prince David Kijanangoma of the Tooro Kingdom, as he battles stage three throat cancer that has pushed his family and friends into a public appeal for financial support. The prince, who has been undergoing treatment for more than a year, now needs about UGX 700 million to access specialized cancer care in India, after exhausting his personal savings on treatment in Uganda.
According to his close friend and spokesperson, David Irumba, Kijanangoma has been receiving chemotherapy at Nakasero Hospital and the Uganda Cancer Institute in Mulago, but his condition has recently worsened. “We have used every coin on treatment,” Irumba said, explaining why the family decided to go public with their appeal for assistance.
On Saturday, the prince’s condition deteriorated, leading to an emergency admission at the Uganda Cancer Institute. However, due to congestion at the facility, he initially struggled to secure a bed and was briefly placed in a makeshift arrangement before later being transferred to a private room.
For the family, the situation has been emotionally and financially draining, especially as treatment costs continue to rise beyond their reach. Supporters have now mobilized fundraising efforts across the country, including car wash campaigns in Fort Portal, Kampala, Jinja, and Mbarara, alongside planned charity concerts featuring Tooro artists and a marathon to raise funds.
Irumba also made an emotional appeal to President Yoweri Museveni, whom he described using the traditional Tooro honorific mujwarakondo, meaning “defender of the kingdom,” asking for support to save the prince’s life. A member of the royal Babiito clan, who spoke on condition of anonymity, confirmed that the family is aware of the illness and has been supporting him quietly.
Prince Kijanangoma is the son of the late Paul Kijanangoma and grandson of King George Edward Rukidi. He is also the younger brother of the late Happy Kijanangoma, who was killed in Fort Portal in 1995.
Beyond his health struggle, Kijanangoma has previously been a controversial royal figure, gaining attention in 2015 when he publicly criticized the leadership of Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV, even attempting to declare himself king before later reconciling with the kingdom in 2019.
Today, however, the focus has shifted far from royal politics to survival and care. Well-wishers are contributing through Equity Bank account number 1025103417374 (in the names of David Kiija and Winnie Mbabazi) or mobile money numbers 0777087276 and 0700266535, in what has become a race against time to secure treatment abroad.
