Toro is one of the four
kingdoms of Uganda, lying in the west of the country near the
Ruwenzori Mountains on the border with Congo (Kinshasa). The capital is
Fort Portal, and the language is called
Rutoro.
Toro was founded in 1822 as an offshoot of the Bunyoro kingdom, its founder Olimi I Kaboyo I being the son of the Mukama (king) of Bunyoro. The two were reunited between 1876 and 1891, and 1893-4, and also briefly in a period of great confusion in the decade or so before that. All the kingdoms of Uganda were abolished between 1967 and 1993.
The dynasty is called Babito. The following are the kings of Toro since its restoration:
- Kasagama Kyebambe IV 1891-1928
- George David Matthew Kamurasi Rukidi III 1929-1965
- Patrick David Matthew Rwamuhokya Olimi III Kaboyo II 1966-1995
- Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV 1995-
Mukama Rukidi IV was born in 1992, so there is currently a
regency.
His aunt, a sister of Kaboyo II, is Elizabeth Bagoyo, also known as Princess Elizabeth of Toro, who was not only a world-renowned fashion model but also the foreign minister in Idi Amin's government.
A more accurate rendering of the Rutoro language gives the names Tooro, Rutooro, Babiito dynasty, and Omukama for the king.