By KT Reporter
There is a heavy deployment of Anti-riot police and Uganda People’s Defense Forces (UPDF) at the Bunyoro Kitara Kingdom (BKK) premises. The security presence is visibly concentrated at the Kingdom chambers and the entrance of the palace.
The deployment began around 9 a.m. today. Julius Hakiza, the Albertine Region Police spokesperson, confirmed the deployment, stating that it followed intelligence reports indicating a plot to cause chaos at the Kingdom premises for yet unknown reasons.
“We have deployed at the Kingdom offices after we got intelligence-led information that some people were planning to demonstrate at the Kingdom offices for unknown reasons. We shall maintain our presence at the Kingdom chambers and the palace because we do not want chaos in the area and the city,” said Hakiza.
Hakiza explained that it is unlawful to riot and cause confusion at the Kingdom chambers. He emphasized that the deployment aims to protect the King, his workers, the Kingdom’s property, and to maintain peace in the area. He further warned the public against participating in any protests, stressing that security forces are prepared to take necessary actions to ensure order.
Efforts to reach Andrew Byakutaga, the Kingdom Prime Minister, for comment were unsuccessful as his phone was switched off by the time of filing this story. This deployment comes against a backdrop of ongoing tensions within the Bunyoro Kitara Kingdom.
In September 2024, security forces arrested Brian Aliguma in Hoima City for participating in protests against Prime Minister Byakutaga. The protests, aimed at compelling Byakutaga to vacate office, were swiftly intercepted by anti-riot police and UPDF soldiers before demonstrators could access the Kingdom palace.
Aliguma was briefly detained near the Kingdom chambers before being transferred to Hoima City Central Police Station. He was among a group of youth demanding Byakutaga’s resignation. Tensions have been rising between the ruling Babiito clan and Byakutaga. On September 2, 2024, the Babiito clan dismissed Byakutaga and appointed an interim cabinet led by Interim Prime Minister Dr. Baltazar Kyamanywa Kasirivu.
The interim cabinet was sworn in at the residence of the Chief Prince (Okwiri) in Hoima City. Byakutaga condemned the swearing-in ceremony as illegal, arguing that it violated Uganda’s Constitution and the Traditional and Cultural Leaders Act of 2011. He asserted that only the Omukama (cultural leader) has the authority to appoint or dismiss Kingdom officials.
Byakutaga also accused the Okwiri of forgery, claiming that a document suggesting the Omukama had transferred his powers was falsified. The conflict emerged after the Babiito clan issued a one-week ultimatum for Byakutaga to vacate office, protesting the Royal Commission’s decision to extend his term by one year.
The clan, alongside the Okwiri, criticized the extension as unlawful, asserting that the authority to manage the Kingdom’s affairs during the Omukama’s illness lies with the Okwiri. The Bunyoro Kitara Kingdom has operated without a functioning parliament and cabinet ministers for two years due to the Omukama’s illness. Byakutaga, who was appointed Prime Minister on January 15, 2018, had previously been suspended in January 2022 over allegations of mismanagement but was reinstated by the Royal Commission-URN. Give us feedback on this story through our email: kamwokyatimes@gmail.com
