Why security deployed heavily at Okwir’s home, BKK offices in Hoima city
Police and army officers armed with batons, guns, tear gas and roadblocks were deployed under the command of Hoima City Central Police Station commander Husain Hassan Sekarema.
Army and police officers armed with guns man roadblocks along Rukurato Road, restricting access to motorists and pedestrians without a genuine reason. (Photo by Abaanabasazi.)
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There was a heavy deployment of police and army officers at the home of Bunyoro Kitara Kingdom Chief Prince (Okwir) Eng. Fred Mugenyi Rucunya in Rukonge cell, Hoima West Division, and at the Bunyoro Kitara Kingdom (BKK) administrative offices in Hoima city.
The deployment disrupted traffic after police sealed off Rukurato Road, which leads to Karuzika Palace, and diverted motorists.
Police and army officers armed with batons, guns, tear gas and roadblocks were deployed under the command of Hoima City Central Police Station commander Husain Hassan Sekarema.
On Monday (September 21), kingdom prime minister Andrew Byakutaga issued a statement saying they had requested the deployment of police after receiving information that unknown individuals were allegedly planning an attack on kingdom facilities.
“Following their assessment, the relevant security agencies have deployed personnel around the Kingdom’s properties as a precautionary measure to safeguard the Kingdom’s assets, officials, and the general public. Bunyoro-Kitara Kingdom appreciates the security agencies for their vigilance and commitment. We wish to assure the general public that all Kingdom offices remain open and accessible to the public and continue to operate normally,” his letter dated September 21, 2026, stated.
SP Julius Hakiiza, the Albertine South police spokesperson, said the deployment at the BKK offices was made after police received information that a group of people was planning to hold a massive demonstration and attack Kingdom facilities and officials.
He noted that security was deployed because those planning to demonstrate had not sought permission from police as required.
“We deployed because of an anticipated demonstration; we got information that there was a planned procession to attack the kingdom facilities and officers, so we had to deploy to ensure security and sanity at the kingdom and protection of the kingdom’s assets and officers,” he said.
However, when asked to comment on the purpose of the deployment at the Okwir’s home, Hakiiza declined to comment on the specific issue, adding that general security had been deployed to maintain law and order.
The deployment follows a demand made last week by Okwir Rucunya, ordering kingdom prime minister Andrew Byakutaga to vacate his office, arguing that he is occupying it illegally.
Rucunya claimed that Byakutaga’s term of office expired in October 2023, but that he refused to vacate office.
Harriette Businge, the former Hoima district woman MP and wife of Okwir Rucunya, condemned the deployment of police at her residence.
She questioned why security officers had been deployed at their home, which she said was not a kingdom property, and described the deployment as a violation of her rights and those of her children. She warned that her home should not be involved in the kingdom dispute.
“The deployment of police officers at our home depicted it as a place of criminals. My children did not go to school today,” she said.