A dad-of-two living on a Sale housing estate has been named the new King of Rwanda.

Emmanuel Bushayija was unveiled as heir to the East African country’s throne in an official statement this week.

The 56-year-old’s accession to King Yuhi VI comes after the death of his uncle King Kigeli V three months ago, aged 80.

King Kigeli V is said to have died in poverty in the US after being exiled from Rwanda in 1961, when the country became a republic following a referendum.

He did not have any children, and named Mr Bushayija as his future successor in 2006.

The new king, who runs a security company, was exiled along with his uncle and the rest of the royal family, as well as tens of thousands of others.

Mr Bushayija moved to Uganda where eventually he got a job working for Pepsi Cola.

He also lived in Kenya, working in the tourism industry, before returning to Rwanda in 1994 where he remained until 2000 when he moved to the UK.

(Image: PA)

Boniface Benzinge, Chancellor of The Rwandan Royal Council of Abiru, said: “The Rwandan Royal Council of Abiru Hereby informs all Rwandans and friends of Rwanda that in keeping with the ancient custom, it has Acclaimed His Royal Highness Prince Emmanuel Bushayija as the Successor of His Late Majesty King Kigeri V Ndahindurwa, who passed away on October 16, 2016, in the United States.

“The Royal name of His Majesty Emmanuel Bushayija shall be His Majesty King Yuhi VI.

“His Majesty King Yuhi VI Bushayija is the son of His Royal Highness Theoneste Bushayija and grandson of His Majesty King Yuhi V Musinga.

“He was born in Rwanda on December 20, 1960. He is married and is the father of two children. He grew up in exile in Uganda, where he studied at Iganga Secondary School and worked for PEPSI Cola in Kampala.

“He also lived in Kenya, working in the tourism industry, before returning to Rwanda in July of 1994.

“His Majesty King Yuhi VI Bushayija left Rwanda in 2000 and has resided in the United Kingdom since then.”