Bunyoro PM sworn in amid protest
Dec 03, 2006
ARMED policemen were deployed at Omukama Solomon Gafabusa Iguru’s palace to prevent possible clashes at the swearing in ceremony of the new kingdom premier.
By Amlan Tumusiime
and Fred Kayizzi
ARMED policemen were deployed at Omukama Solomon Gafabusa Iguru’s palace to prevent possible clashes at the swearing in ceremony of the new kingdom premier.
Iguru appointed Emmanuel Kiiza Alibankoha, 35, as prime minister amidst protests from members of the Rukurato (parliament).
At 2:30pm, 25 members of the Rukurato stormed out the function at Karuziika palace as the Omukama named Alibankoha as the premier replacing Erifa Kagoro Byenkya, whose term expired last November.
As the group camped outside the palace plotting a demonstration, it dispersed on seeing a Police patrol vehicle arriving. All central government ministers from Bunyoro and members of the Babiito royal family shunned the function.
Central government minister for lands Kasirivu Atwooki claimed that Alibankoha is a Rwandese. “We cannot attend a function where our premier is not a Ugandan or even a Munyoro. We have tried to trace his origin from Kibaale where he claims he comes from but have failed to get his ancestry,†Kasirivu said.
Some members of the Rukurato said at a past council meeting that three names were submitted to the Omukama from whom to pick a katikkiro. Former Buyaga MP Ignitius Besisira scored 47 votes, Alibankoha 27 and Yabeezi Kiiza 20.
Two kingdom ministers resigned a day before Alibankoha was sworn-in in protest.
Alibankoha worked briefly as kingdom speaker after the sacking of Ernest Kiiza and became prominent when he recently delivered a letter from the Omukama to Joseph Kony, the LRA commander. The Omukama blasted those against his choice, saying their thinking was myopic.
and Fred Kayizzi
ARMED policemen were deployed at Omukama Solomon Gafabusa Iguru’s palace to prevent possible clashes at the swearing in ceremony of the new kingdom premier.
Iguru appointed Emmanuel Kiiza Alibankoha, 35, as prime minister amidst protests from members of the Rukurato (parliament).
At 2:30pm, 25 members of the Rukurato stormed out the function at Karuziika palace as the Omukama named Alibankoha as the premier replacing Erifa Kagoro Byenkya, whose term expired last November.
As the group camped outside the palace plotting a demonstration, it dispersed on seeing a Police patrol vehicle arriving. All central government ministers from Bunyoro and members of the Babiito royal family shunned the function.
Central government minister for lands Kasirivu Atwooki claimed that Alibankoha is a Rwandese. “We cannot attend a function where our premier is not a Ugandan or even a Munyoro. We have tried to trace his origin from Kibaale where he claims he comes from but have failed to get his ancestry,†Kasirivu said.
Some members of the Rukurato said at a past council meeting that three names were submitted to the Omukama from whom to pick a katikkiro. Former Buyaga MP Ignitius Besisira scored 47 votes, Alibankoha 27 and Yabeezi Kiiza 20.
Two kingdom ministers resigned a day before Alibankoha was sworn-in in protest.
Alibankoha worked briefly as kingdom speaker after the sacking of Ernest Kiiza and became prominent when he recently delivered a letter from the Omukama to Joseph Kony, the LRA commander. The Omukama blasted those against his choice, saying their thinking was myopic.