Security forces have maintained a presence at the Bunyoro Kitara Kingdom premises in Hoima City following an unresolved leadership dispute between the ruling Babiito clan and Prime Minister Andrew Byakutaga.
Uganda Radio Network (URN) visited the Kingdom premises on Tuesday Morning and discovered that the Anti-riot police and the Uganda People’s Defense Forces (UPDF) were still deployed strategically at the Kingdom offices. They are thoroughly checking whoever is entering the Kingdom offices, especially at the Chambers (Orukurato).
Julius Hakiza, the Albertine region Police spokesperson, confirmed the continued security deployment at the Kingdom premises, stating that the deployment was a preventive measure aimed at combating any illegal chaos or demonstration. He, however, said the deployment would not disrupt services at the Kingdom offices.
On Monday morning, Anti-riot police and UPDF personnel were heavily deployed at the Bunyoro Kitara Kingdom headquarters, with security officers by 9 a.m. blocking access to the Kingdom chambers, locally known as the Rukurato. Other security personnel were seen patrolling parts of Hoima City.
Police also confirmed the deployment to Uganda Radio Network (URN), saying it followed intelligence indicating that some youth were being organised to demonstrate at the Kingdom headquarters.
The Kingdom also, in a statement issued by Andrew Byakutaga, the Kingdom prime minister, confirmed the security deployment, stating that it was sanctioned after Kingdom authorities received a security briefing about a possible attack on the Kingdom premises and properties.
The heightened security presence comes amid a long-running dispute between the Babiito, the ruling clan of Bunyoro Kitara Kingdom, and Byakutaga over his continued occupation of the office of Prime Minister, or Omuhikirwa.
Last week, the Chief Prince, known as the Okwir, Eng. Fred Mugenyi Rucunya, issued a fresh ultimatum for Byakutaga to leave office by mid-October 2026. Speaking to journalists at his home in Rukooge Cell, Hoima West Division, Rucunya said Byakutaga was occupying the office illegally because his term had expired.
Byakutaga’s original term expired in October 2023 but was extended until June 30, 2024. When that period elapsed, the Babiito, through the Okwir, called for his departure. However, in a letter dated June 27, 2024, the Royal Commission granted Byakutaga another one-year extension.
Rucunya has disputed the legality of that extension, arguing that the Royal Commission lacked authority to extend the Prime Minister’s tenure.
Rucunya said the authority to manage the affairs of the Kingdom when the Omukama is unable to do so had been vested in him by the Omukama, Dr Solomon Gafabusa Agutamba Rukirabasaija Iguru I. He also accused Byakutaga of running the Kingdom without a cabinet for about three years and repeated allegations of lack of transparency, accountability, financial impropriety and mismanagement of Kingdom assets.
Rucunya warned that Byakutaga must voluntarily leave office by mid-October, threatening to mobilise Kingdom subjects to storm the palace and force him out if he failed to comply. Byakutaga declined to comment when contacted over the ultimatum. The dispute dates back several years.
In January 2022, the Babiito clan, led by the Okwir, suspended Byakutaga, accusing him of a lack of transparency and accountability, alleged fraudulent financial activities, and mismanagement of Kingdom assets.
The clan also accused him of destroying cultural sites, selling Kingdom land, and isolating the Omukama from his relatives.
Byakutaga denied the allegations and maintained that only the Omukama had authority to appoint or dismiss Kingdom officials. The Royal Commission subsequently reinstated him as Prime Minister in January 2022, affirming the Omukama’s authority over such appointments.
The dispute resurfaced in 2024 when the Okwir moved to remove Byakutaga and established an interim administration. The Okwir appointed Dr Baltazar Kyamanywa Kasirivu Atwooki as interim Prime Minister, while Owek. Kugonza Miganda was appointed interim speaker of the Orukurato and chairperson of the Clans Consultative Council.
Other interim appointments included Owek. John Apollo Rwemparo as First Deputy Interim Prime Minister and Minister of Tourism, Land and Natural Resources, and Owek. Stephen Mukitale as Second Deputy Interim Prime Minister and Minister of Oil and Gas.
Daphine Kabatalesa was appointed Interim Minister of Palace Affairs and Personal Assistant to the Queen Mother, or Omugo, while John Williams Byakagaba became Interim Minister of Finance and Planning.
The interim administration also named ministers responsible for culture, general duties and disaster preparedness, production, restitution and reparations, gender and community development, mineral resources, education, external relations, youth skilling and investment.
The Bunyoro Kitara Kingdom has been without a functioning parliament and cabinet since 2023 amid disagreements over the administration of the Kingdom and the authority to make key appointments. Byakutaga was originally appointed Prime Minister by Omukama Solomon Gafabusa Rukirabasaija Agutamba Iguru I on January 15, 2018.
The current security deployment has now added a new dimension to the dispute, with the Kingdom attributing the heightened presence to a reported security threat, while police say they were responding to intelligence about a planned demonstration. Security forces have maintained a presence at the Bunyoro Kitara Kingdom premises in Hoima City following an unresolved leadership dispute between the ruling Babiito clan and Prime Minister Andrew Byakutaga.
Uganda Radio Network (URN) visited the Kingdom premises on Tuesday Morning and discovered that the Anti-riot police and the Uganda People’s Defense Forces (UPDF) were still deployed strategically at the Kingdom offices. They are thoroughly checking whoever is entering the Kingdom offices, especially at the Chambers (Orukurato).
Julius Hakiza, the Albertine region Police spokesperson, confirmed the continued security deployment at the Kingdom premises, stating that the deployment was a preventive measure aimed at combating any illegal chaos or demonstration. He, however, said the deployment would not disrupt services at the Kingdom offices.
On Monday morning, Anti-riot police and UPDF personnel were heavily deployed at the Bunyoro Kitara Kingdom headquarters, with security officers by 9 a.m. blocking access to the Kingdom chambers, locally known as the Rukurato. Other security personnel were seen patrolling parts of Hoima City.
Police also confirmed the deployment to Uganda Radio Network (URN), saying it followed intelligence indicating that some youth were being organised to demonstrate at the Kingdom headquarters.
The Kingdom also, in a statement issued by Andrew Byakutaga, the Kingdom prime minister, confirmed the security deployment, stating that it was sanctioned after Kingdom authorities received a security briefing about a possible attack on the Kingdom premises and properties.
The heightened security presence comes amid a long-running dispute between the Babiito, the ruling clan of Bunyoro Kitara Kingdom, and Byakutaga over his continued occupation of the office of Prime Minister, or Omuhikirwa.
Last week, the Chief Prince, known as the Okwir, Eng. Fred Mugenyi Rucunya, issued a fresh ultimatum for Byakutaga to leave office by mid-October 2026. Speaking to journalists at his home in Rukooge Cell, Hoima West Division, Rucunya said Byakutaga was occupying the office illegally because his term had expired.
Byakutaga’s original term expired in October 2023 but was extended until June 30, 2024. When that period elapsed, the Babiito, through the Okwir, called for his departure. However, in a letter dated June 27, 2024, the Royal Commission granted Byakutaga another one-year extension.
Rucunya has disputed the legality of that extension, arguing that the Royal Commission lacked authority to extend the Prime Minister’s tenure.
Rucunya said the authority to manage the affairs of the Kingdom when the Omukama is unable to do so had been vested in him by the Omukama, Dr Solomon Gafabusa Agutamba Rukirabasaija Iguru I. He also accused Byakutaga of running the Kingdom without a cabinet for about three years and repeated allegations of lack of transparency, accountability, financial impropriety and mismanagement of Kingdom assets.
Rucunya warned that Byakutaga must voluntarily leave office by mid-October, threatening to mobilise Kingdom subjects to storm the palace and force him out if he failed to comply. Byakutaga declined to comment when contacted over the ultimatum. The dispute dates back several years.
In January 2022, the Babiito clan, led by the Okwir, suspended Byakutaga, accusing him of a lack of transparency and accountability, alleged fraudulent financial activities, and mismanagement of Kingdom assets.
The clan also accused him of destroying cultural sites, selling Kingdom land, and isolating the Omukama from his relatives.
Byakutaga denied the allegations and maintained that only the Omukama had authority to appoint or dismiss Kingdom officials. The Royal Commission subsequently reinstated him as Prime Minister in January 2022, affirming the Omukama’s authority over such appointments.
The dispute resurfaced in 2024 when the Okwir moved to remove Byakutaga and established an interim administration. The Okwir appointed Dr Baltazar Kyamanywa Kasirivu Atwooki as interim Prime Minister, while Owek. Kugonza Miganda was appointed interim speaker of the Orukurato and chairperson of the Clans Consultative Council.
Other interim appointments included Owek. John Apollo Rwemparo as First Deputy Interim Prime Minister and Minister of Tourism, Land and Natural Resources, and Owek. Stephen Mukitale as Second Deputy Interim Prime Minister and Minister of Oil and Gas.
Daphine Kabatalesa was appointed Interim Minister of Palace Affairs and Personal Assistant to the Queen Mother, or Omugo, while John Williams Byakagaba became Interim Minister of Finance and Planning.
The interim administration also named ministers responsible for culture, general duties and disaster preparedness, production, restitution and reparations, gender and community development, mineral resources, education, external relations, youth skilling and investment.
The Bunyoro Kitara Kingdom has been without a functioning parliament and cabinet since 2023 amid disagreements over the administration of the Kingdom and the authority to make key appointments. Byakutaga was originally appointed Prime Minister by Omukama Solomon Gafabusa Rukirabasaija Agutamba Iguru I on January 15, 2018.
The current security deployment has now added a new dimension to the dispute, with the Kingdom attributing the heightened presence to a reported security threat, while police say they were responding to intelligence about a planned demonstration. Security forces have maintained a presence at the Bunyoro Kitara Kingdom premises in Hoima City following an unresolved leadership dispute between the ruling Babiito clan and Prime Minister Andrew Byakutaga.
Uganda Radio Network (URN) visited the Kingdom premises on Tuesday Morning and discovered that the Anti-riot police and the Uganda People’s Defense Forces (UPDF) were still deployed strategically at the Kingdom offices. They are thoroughly checking whoever is entering the Kingdom offices, especially at the Chambers (Orukurato).
Julius Hakiza, the Albertine region Police spokesperson, confirmed the continued security deployment at the Kingdom premises, stating that the deployment was a preventive measure aimed at combating any illegal chaos or demonstration. He, however, said the deployment would not disrupt services at the Kingdom offices.
On Monday morning, Anti-riot police and UPDF personnel were heavily deployed at the Bunyoro Kitara Kingdom headquarters, with security officers by 9 a.m. blocking access to the Kingdom chambers, locally known as the Rukurato. Other security personnel were seen patrolling parts of Hoima City.
Police also confirmed the deployment to Uganda Radio Network (URN), saying it followed intelligence indicating that some youth were being organised to demonstrate at the Kingdom headquarters.
The Kingdom also, in a statement issued by Andrew Byakutaga, the Kingdom prime minister, confirmed the security deployment, stating that it was sanctioned after Kingdom authorities received a security briefing about a possible attack on the Kingdom premises and properties.
The heightened security presence comes amid a long-running dispute between the Babiito, the ruling clan of Bunyoro Kitara Kingdom, and Byakutaga over his continued occupation of the office of Prime Minister, or Omuhikirwa.
Last week, the Chief Prince, known as the Okwir, Eng. Fred Mugenyi Rucunya, issued a fresh ultimatum for Byakutaga to leave office by mid-October 2026. Speaking to journalists at his home in Rukooge Cell, Hoima West Division, Rucunya said Byakutaga was occupying the office illegally because his term had expired.
Byakutaga’s original term expired in October 2023 but was extended until June 30, 2024. When that period elapsed, the Babiito, through the Okwir, called for his departure. However, in a letter dated June 27, 2024, the Royal Commission granted Byakutaga another one-year extension.
Rucunya has disputed the legality of that extension, arguing that the Royal Commission lacked authority to extend the Prime Minister’s tenure.
Rucunya said the authority to manage the affairs of the Kingdom when the Omukama is unable to do so had been vested in him by the Omukama, Dr Solomon Gafabusa Agutamba Rukirabasaija Iguru I. He also accused Byakutaga of running the Kingdom without a cabinet for about three years and repeated allegations of lack of transparency, accountability, financial impropriety and mismanagement of Kingdom assets.
Rucunya warned that Byakutaga must voluntarily leave office by mid-October, threatening to mobilise Kingdom subjects to storm the palace and force him out if he failed to comply. Byakutaga declined to comment when contacted over the ultimatum. The dispute dates back several years.
In January 2022, the Babiito clan, led by the Okwir, suspended Byakutaga, accusing him of a lack of transparency and accountability, alleged fraudulent financial activities, and mismanagement of Kingdom assets.
The clan also accused him of destroying cultural sites, selling Kingdom land, and isolating the Omukama from his relatives.
Byakutaga denied the allegations and maintained that only the Omukama had authority to appoint or dismiss Kingdom officials. The Royal Commission subsequently reinstated him as Prime Minister in January 2022, affirming the Omukama’s authority over such appointments.
The dispute resurfaced in 2024 when the Okwir moved to remove Byakutaga and established an interim administration. The Okwir appointed Dr Baltazar Kyamanywa Kasirivu Atwooki as interim Prime Minister, while Owek. Kugonza Miganda was appointed interim speaker of the Orukurato and chairperson of the Clans Consultative Council.
Other interim appointments included Owek. John Apollo Rwemparo as First Deputy Interim Prime Minister and Minister of Tourism, Land and Natural Resources, and Owek. Stephen Mukitale as Second Deputy Interim Prime Minister and Minister of Oil and Gas.
Daphine Kabatalesa was appointed Interim Minister of Palace Affairs and Personal Assistant to the Queen Mother, or Omugo, while John Williams Byakagaba became Interim Minister of Finance and Planning.
The interim administration also named ministers responsible for culture, general duties and disaster preparedness, production, restitution and reparations, gender and community development, mineral resources, education, external relations, youth skilling and investment.
The Bunyoro Kitara Kingdom has been without a functioning parliament and cabinet since 2023 amid disagreements over the administration of the Kingdom and the authority to make key appointments. Byakutaga was originally appointed Prime Minister by Omukama Solomon Gafabusa Rukirabasaija Agutamba Iguru I on January 15, 2018.
The current security deployment has now added a new dimension to the dispute, with the Kingdom attributing the heightened presence to a reported security threat, while police say they were responding to intelligence about a planned demonstration-URN. Give us feedback on this story through our email: kamwokyatimes@gmail.com
