The Babiito, the ruling clan of the Bunyoro Kitara Kingdom, has issued a one-week ultimatum to the Kingdom Prime Minister (Omuhikirwa), Andrew Byakutaga, to vacate his office, asserting that he is occupying it illegally.
The Chief Prince (Okwir) of Bunyoro Kitara Kingdom, Eng. Fred Mugenyi Rucunya, expressed the clan’s dissatisfaction with the recent decision by the Royal Commission, led by Dr. Fred Kabagambe Kaliisa, to extend Byakutaga’s term of office for another year. In July, the Bunyoro Kitara Kingdom Royal Commission extended Byakutaga’s term by one year.
Rucunya described the extension as unlawful, claiming that the Royal Commission overstepped its authority, which he says is vested in him by the Omukama of Bunyoro Kitara Kingdom, Dr. Solomon Gafabusa Agutamba Rukirabasaija Iguru I, to manage kingdom affairs when the Omukama is unable to do so.
Rucunya also criticized the Royal Commission, stating that while he initially worked with them to advance the kingdom’s interests, he found that they were hindering his efforts. The Royal Commission, established by King Solomon Gafabusa Rukirabasaija Agutamba Iguru 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. However, the Royal Commission, in a letter dated June 27, 2024, granted him an additional year in office.
Mugenyi stated that the clan convened an emergency meeting on Sunday evening, during which the Babiito clan heads unanimously agreed that Byakutaga should vacate the office within one week. The Okwir is to appoint an interim Prime Minister within two weeks to manage the kingdom’s affairs.
Baltazar Kasirivu, a clan head and former Minister of State for Lands, urged Okwir Rucunya to establish an interim cabinet, led by an interim Prime Minister, to ensure lawful administration of the kingdom. Byakutaga has yet to respond to the directive from the ruling clan. Meanwhile, the Bunyoro Kitara Kingdom Chief Administrative Officer, Alex Katusabe, in a letter dated September 1, dismissed the resolutions made by the ruling clan members, stating that they are null and void.
The Bunyoro Kitara Kingdom has been without a parliament and cabinet ministers for a year, with the Royal Commission having the authority to extend or terminate appointments due to the Omukama’s reported illness. Byakutaga was appointed Prime Minister by Omukama Solomon Gafabusa Rukirabasaija Agutamba Iguru I on January 15, 2018.
In January 2022, the Babiito clan, led by the Okwir, suspended Byakutaga, accusing him of lacking transparency and accountability, including fraudulent financial activities and mismanagement of kingdom assets. These accusations also included the destruction of key cultural sites and the sale of kingdom land.
The clan also alleged that Byakutaga was isolating the King from his relatives, a claim he refuted, insisting that only the Omukama has the authority to appoint or dismiss kingdom officials. The Royal Commission reinstated Byakutaga as Prime Minister in January 2022, affirming the Omukama’s sole authority over such appointments.
