Bunyoro Babiito clan give Byakutaga one month to vacate office
Okwiri has meanwhile called on Bunyoro residents to support what he described as efforts to safeguard the kingdom’s traditions, values and institutional structures.
Hoima: The Chief Prince of Bunyoro Kitara Kingdom, Eng. Fred Mugenyi Rucunya, commonly known as Okwiri, has declared that the tenure of Prime Minister Andrew Kirungi Byakutaga has expired, giving him until October to vacate office.
Okwiri made the declaration on Monday during a press conference at his residence in Rukooge Cell, Hoima City.
He said the Babiito ruling clan recently held an emergency meeting attended by 68 clan heads, who unanimously resolved that Byakutaga should leave office.
“The Babiito ruling clan held an emergency meeting and resolved that the Prime Minister should vacate office,” Okwiri said.
Okwiri also referred to his earlier appointment of Dr Baltazar Kyamanywa Kasirivu Atwooki as interim Prime Minister for three years, together with a new cabinet that was sworn in before a Commissioner for Oaths.
He said Omukama Solomon Gafabusa Iguru I has been indisposed for a long time and is currently receiving treatment, giving Byakutaga one month to vacate office.
Okwiri further accused the Royal Commission, chaired by Dr Fred Kallisa Kabagambe, of unilaterally extending Byakutaga’s tenure.
He argued that the commission has no authority to extend the term of the Prime Minister.
“The Royal Commission has no powers to extend the tenure of the Prime Minister,” Okwiri said.
Okwiri also appealed to Uganda’s Prime Minister, Robinah Nabbanja, to uphold the values, traditions and norms of Bunyoro Kitara Kingdom.
He called for the withdrawal of a letter reportedly introduced to the office of the Chief Prince, which he said restricts him from holding meetings.
Mugenyi said the Babiito clan mandates him to manage the affairs of the kingdom whenever the Omukama is indisposed.
He warned that failure by Byakutaga to comply with the directive would prompt them to engage relevant government agencies to enforce the decision.
Leadership dispute
The latest directive is part of a longstanding leadership dispute within Bunyoro Kitara Kingdom.
In September 2024, Okwiri announced an interim cabinet led by Dr Baltazar Kyamanywa Kasirivu Atwooki after clan heads resolved to establish an alternative administration.
The interim cabinet included Kugonza Miganda as interim Speaker of the Orukurato, John Apollo Rwemparo as First Deputy Prime Minister, and former Buliisa County MP Stephen Mukitale as Second Deputy Prime Minister.
Other members included Daphine Kabatalesa, John Williams Byakagaba, Francis Ssewante, Charles Ochaki Nyabwongo, Simon Kinene, Lenox Mugume, Annet Byaruhanga, Johnbosco Bukya, Jackson Wabyona, James Kisoro Isagara, Farouk Alinaitwe, Yunus Mugabe, Godfrey Segujja, Spirian Biribonwa and Daudi Cwa.
However, Byakutaga rejected the interim administration and maintained that only Omukama Solomon Gafabusa Iguru I has the authority to remove him from office.
Byakutaga’s term expired in October 2023 and was later extended until June 30, 2024.
Museveni did not directly intervene in the dispute, maintaining his position that government should not interfere in the affairs of cultural institutions.
The leadership wrangle also led to heightened security around the Bunyoro Kitara Kingdom headquarters along Rukurato Road in October 2024.
The Albertine South Region Police spokesperson Julius Allan Hakiza said the deployment was intended to maintain law and order amid fears of possible disturbances. “This is just normal security provision,” Hakiza said.
Okwiri has meanwhile called on Bunyoro residents to support what he described as efforts to safeguard the kingdom’s traditions, values and institutional structures.
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