A 56-year-old man who lives in the UK and once worked for a soft drinks company in Uganda has been named Rwanda’s king-in-exile.
Prince Emmanuel Bushayija succeeds his grandfather, King Kigeli V, who died in the US in October aged 80.
In a statement, the Royal House said the new monarch grew up in exile in Uganda, and later worked for Pepsi Cola in Kampala.
“He then went on to work in the tourism industry in Kenya, before returning to Rwanda between 1994 and 2000. Since then, His Majesty has lived in the United Kingdom, where he is married with two children,” it added.
Rwanda abolished its monarchy by referendum on 28th January 1961, however the Royal House of Rwanda has always questioned the legitimacy of the vote. Accordingly, it holds that the crown continues in exile.
The new Head of the Rwandan Royal House is the son of His Royal Highness Théoneste Bushayija and grandson of His Majesty King Yuhi V Masinga, and is a nephew of the late king. Unlike in some monarchical dynasties where succession to the royal house passes to the nearest relevant heir, the custom of the Royal House of Rwanda is for the king to name his successor. The Royal Council of Abiru was privy to His Majesty’s final wishes about his succession and, in respect of traditional custom, the new Head of the Royal House has been announced.
