Why Bunyoro ruling clan members are asking Premier to vacate office
Led by the Kingdom Chief Prince (Okwir), Eng. Fred Mugenyi Rucunya, the Babiito claimed that Byakutaga's term of office expired in October 2023, but he reportedly refused to vacate.
According to Byakutaga (Pictured), Omukama Solomon Gafabusa Iguru gave him an indefinite contract. (Credit: )
BUNYORO - The ruling clan of Bunyoro Kitara Kingdom (the Babiito) have reiterated their demand to the Kingdom Prime Minister (Omuhikirwa), Andrew Byakutaga, to vacate his office, noting that he is occupying it illegally.
Led by the Kingdom Chief Prince (Okwir), Eng. Fred Mugenyi Rucunya, the Babiito claimed that Byakutaga's term of office expired in October 2023, but he reportedly refused to vacate.
According to Byakutaga, Omukama Solomon Gafabusa Iguru gave him an indefinite contract.
While addressing the press at his home in Rukooge cell, Hoima West division in Hoima City on Monday (September 14), Rucunya noted that Byakutaga is in office illegally since his term expired.
Rucunya also expressed the Babiito clan's dissatisfaction with the decision by the Royal Commission led by Dr. Fred Kabagambe Kaliisa to extend Byakutaga’s term of office in June 2024, saying that it is not their mandate.
In June 2024, the Bunyoro Kitara Kingdom Royal Commission extended Byakutaga's term by one year, but to date, he is still in office.
Rucunya described the extension as unlawful, claiming that the Royal Commission overstepped its authority, which he said is vested in him by the Omukama of Bunyoro.
He has, therefore, demanded that the Royal Commission, together with Byakutaga, publicly apologise to the people of Bunyoro for the mess they have orchestrated while running the affairs of the Kingdom.
The Royal Commission, established by the Omukama in August 2017, advises the King and oversees kingdom administration.
Byakutaga’s original term expired in October 2023 and was extended until June 30, 2024. After this term ended, the Babiito clan, through the Okwir, ordered Byakutaga to leave office immediately.
Chief Prince (Okwir) Bunyoro Kitara Kingdom, Eng. Fred Mugenyi Rucunya (3rd L) with the members of Babito ruling clan leaders after addressing the media. (Credit: Peter Abaanabasazi)
However, the Royal Commission, in a letter dated June 27, 2024, granted him an additional year in office.
"The extension of the term or appointment of prime minister is vested in the King and, in the absence of the King, this responsibility and the management of the Kingdom is under my authority,” Rucunya said.
According to Rucunya, Byakutaga should voluntarily vacate office by mid-October, adding that "if he (Byakutaga) fails to vacate the office, we will use reasonable force to ensure that he is no longer running the affairs of the Kingdom."
The Kingdom has been without a parliament and cabinet since 2023, when Omukama was reportedly ill and could not appoint or renew their term.
After Babito attempted to push Byakutaga out of office in vain, the Okwir instituted an interim cabinet. He then replaced Byakutaga with Dr. Baltazar Kyamanywa Kasirivu Atwooki as the new interim prime minister of the Kingdom.
However, the interim cabinet failed to access the offices after police were deployed at the Kingdom administration premises.
In September 2024, a clan leaders’ meeting organised to address the ongoing leadership crisis in Bunyoro Kingdom flopped after security blocked them.
Ochaki Orimi Nyabongo, a member of the ruling Babiito clan and former Member of Parliament for the Rukurato (Bunyoro parliament), said lack of a cabinet and other systems is affecting the development of the Kingdom.
He noted that since the Omukama got sick, there is nothing taking place in terms of development.
He noted that according to culture and norms of the Kingdom, the Okwir is the one who takes over the management of the kingdom in the absence of the Omukama, but Byakutaga and group have failed to recognise this for their personal interests.
When contacted for a comment, Byakutaga said he had nothing to comment on regarding the demand of the Okwir (Rucunya).
“There is nothing I can comment about that issue, and I do not know anything about it,” said Byakutaga.