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History of Princess Elizabeth of Toro

(A Batebe Princess)

 

Princess Elizabeth Bagaaya Akiiki is a living fairy tale princess. Daughter of His Royal Highness King George Rukidi III and Lady Kezia Rukidi, Elizabeth of Toro was born with a silver spoon in her mouth. Born into the Toro Royal family at the height of its glory, she was raised in the typical, privileged fashion and style that we associate with fairy tale princesses.

 

Within and outside the kingdom, Princess Elizabeth's mesmerizing beauty was equaled only by her warmth of heart, and counterbalanced by her academic prowess.  She excelled in her studies, which she started in a girls' boarding school in Uganda, continued at a boarding school in England, and on to the prestigious Cambridge University.  She earned her place in history as being one of the first three african women to graduate Cambridge.  Armed with her degree in Law, she went on to pursue a legal career, was admitted to the English bar in 1965, and became a practicing barrister at law.

 

Following the death of her father, King George Rukidi III, and the accession to the Toro throne by her brother, Patrick Kaboyo Olimi VII, princes Elizabeth assumed her traditional role as Princess Royal to her brother, King Patrick Olimi VII.  Unfortunately, this was the beginning of the end of the glory days, a signal for tough times ahead.

 

The mid sixties were characterized by political upheaval in Uganda, and one of the victims were the kingdoms.  The kingdoms were "abolished" in 1967.  Princess Elizabeth left Uganda for the United States, to pursue a career in high fashion modeling and acting.  She attained super model status and graced the covers of high fashion magazines like Vogue and Harpers.  She also starred in several motion pictures, including "Sheena" and Chinua Achebe's "Things Fall Apart and No Longer at Ease" in which she acted the leading female role.

 

Following the military coup of 1971, Princess Elizabeth was extended a special invitation to return and serve as Uganda's roving ambassador, in the government of Idi Amin.  Later, she was appointed Uganda's ambassador to the United Nations.  Her stint at the U.N. was short lived as she fell out of Amin's grace.  What followed is a heart rending, sad story of humiliation and real danger to the princess and those close to her.  She barely escaped with her life and went into exile in neighboring Kenya.

 

Princess Elizabeth returned to Uganda following the overthrow of Idi Amin's regime.  The return of Milton Obote to Uganda, and his eventual assumption of power as president started yet another reign of terror in the newly liberated nation.  The political and security situation proved too hostile for Princess Elizabeth, who exiled herself once again.

 

The restoration of cultural leaders by President Museveni's government in 1993 beckoned Princess Bagaya to return and serve her people as Princess Royale to her brother, King Patrick Kaboyo Olimi VII.  She was one of the key players in restarting the kingdom as most of the elders who knew all the rituals and protocol were dead or scattered all over the world.  Upon the untimely death of King Olimi VII, she was named as one of the guardians to her nephew, the  three-and-one half years old infant king, His Royal Highness Omukama Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV.  She is, today, one of the key players in the kingdom reconstruction activities of The Batebe of Toro Foundation, to which she devotes most of her time.

 

The story of Princess Elizabeth of Toro relates the highs and lows in the life of a living legend, a fairy tale princess.  You may read it for yourself in her autobiography "Elizabeth of Toro: The Odyssey of an African Princess", published by Simon and Shuster.

 

Princess Elizabeth Bagaaya has agreed to return to public service in Uganda. She is now serving as Uganda's Ambassador to Germany.

 

(Biography taken from http://www.torokingdom.org/Bagaaya.htm)

 

 

Batebe Princess & Ade Prince Mentoring Program

and Mini Princess and Prince Program

 

The Batebe Princess & Prince Mentoring Program is for girls and boys ages 4-12.  Each child is placed with one of our older contestants as a their "big sister or brother" and has the opportunity to make appearances and participate in events.  They also have the opportunity to escort their big sister or brother on stage during the evening gown competition during the pageant.  Travel opportunities are also available.  We also have our Mini Princesses and Princes (ages 2-3) who can also have the same opportunities.  Our goal is to provide positive influence and guidance to all participants to assist them in becoming positive role models in the community.  We hope that each Princess and Prince remains in the program and participate in our regular pageant competition once they are old enough to compete...at the that time that she will reach age 13 by February 1st of the competition year.

 

The cost to participate in the Batebe Princess & Ade Prince Mentoring Program is a one-time membership fee of  only $95!  This basically covers the cost of the crown and sash.  The child may remain in the program until the reach age 13, at which time they may compete in the regular pageant competition with a discounted entry fee.  There is no additional fees to be in the Batebe Princess & Ade Prince Mentoring Program unless a Princess or Prince needs to replace a crown that has been damaged or a sash that has been damaged or outgrown or if she will be participating in our talent competition for one of our Princess and Prince Talent Awards or competing for one of our Head Princess or Head Prince titles.

 

All Princess and Princes are attached to the International Pageant , regardless of what state our country they are from.  Princesses and Princes are eligible to compete, at no additional cost, for our Cover Model Title by selling ads in our Souvenir Program Book and recruiting financial sponsors for the pageant; the person who raises the most money receives the title!

 

For more information about and an application to participate in the Batebe Princess & Ade Prince Mentoring Program, please contact the Ubuntu Pageants International Office using the contact methods shown on our "Contact Us" page on this website.

 

 

 

 

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