CNN anchor identifies Uganda’s Tooro coronation as Nigerian event

CNN journalist Christiane Amanpour incorrectly identified Uganda as Nigeria while reporting on the coronation of Edward Kijanangoma, the new king of the Tooro Kingdom. Amanpour made the claim in a post on X accompanying a recording of her report. The post described the event as the crowning of a new king “in Nigeria”, although the Tooro Kingdom is located in western Uganda.

Followers, including Nigerians and Ugandans, pointed out the geographical error in comments beneath the post. The supplied material says Amanpour had not corrected it five hours after publication. Kijanangoma was crowned last Tuesday in Fort Portal, a town in western Uganda.

He is also a journalist and previously worked as a broadcaster and editor with Uganda Broadcasting Corporation. The new ruler is a prince and was selected by elders from the Babiito, the kingdom’s ruling clan. He succeeded Oyo Rukidi IV, who died aged 34 without an heir.

His selection prompted controversy because he was not considered particularly high in the line of succession. Uganda’s traditional leaders have no formal governmental authority and are barred by law from partisan politics. They nevertheless retain influence as guardians of cultural identity.

At his coronation, Kijanangoma pledged to unite his people. Amanpour’s report described the king as a symbol of identity and heritage, and said he had argued that heritage should be accompanied by discipline and hard work. Some commenters called the error a “sloppy blunder”, while others attributed it to what they described as a failure to distinguish Africa’s countries.