The Babiito, the ruling clan of the Bunyoro Kitara Kingdom, have issued a fresh ultimatum to the Kingdom Prime Minister, also known as Omuhikirwa, Andrew Byakutaga, to vacate office by mid-October 2026.
The ultimatum was issued by the Chief Prince, known as The Okwir, of Bunyoro Kitara Kingdom, Eng. Fred Mugenyi Rucunya, while addressing journalists at his home in Rukooge Cell, Hoima West Division in Hoima City. He said Byakutaga is occupying the office illegally because his term expired in 2024.
Byakutaga’s original term expired in October 2023 but was extended until June 30, 2024. When that period ended, the Babiito, through The Okwir, ordered him to leave office. However, in a letter dated June 27, 2024, the Royal Commission granted Byakutaga another one-year extension. Rucunya described the extension as unlawful, arguing that the Royal Commission had no authority to extend Byakutaga’s tenure.
He said the authority to manage the affairs of the Kingdom when the Omukama is unable to do so was vested in him by the Omukama, Dr Solomon Gafabusa Agutamba Rukirabasaija Iguru I. Rucunya also criticised the Royal Commission, saying that although he initially worked with its members to advance the interests of the Kingdom, he later realised that they were frustrating his efforts.
He has demanded that both the Royal Commission and Byakutaga apologise publicly to the people of Bunyoro for what he described as a mess in the administration of the Kingdom.
The Royal Commission led by Dr Fred Kabagambe Kaliisa, was established by Omukama Solomon Gafabusa Rukirabasaija Agutamba Iguru I in August 2017 to advise the King and oversee the administration of the Kingdom.
Rucunya warned that Byakutaga must voluntarily leave office by mid-October. He said failure to do so would prompt him to mobilise Kingdom subjects to storm the palace and force him out. Rucunya further accused Byakutaga of running the affairs of the Kingdom without a cabinet for the past three years, as well as lack of transparency and accountability in the management of Kingdom affairs. He also repeated allegations of fraudulent financial activities and mismanagement of Kingdom assets.
When contacted, Byakutaga declined to comment on the fresh ultimatum. “There is nothing I can comment about that issue. I really don’t know anything,” Byakutaga said. The Bunyoro Kitara Kingdom has been without a parliament and cabinet ministers since 2023, amid disagreements over the administration of the Kingdom and the authority to make key appointments.
In January 2022, the Babiito clan, led by the Okwir, suspended Byakutaga, accusing him of a lack of transparency and accountability, fraudulent financial activities and mismanagement of Kingdom assets. The accusations also included alleged destruction of cultural sites and the sale of Kingdom land.
The clan further accused Byakutaga of isolating the Omukama from his relatives, allegations he denied. Byakutaga maintained that only the Omukama had the 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 over Byakutaga’s leadership resurfaced in 2024 when the Okwir moved to remove him from office and instituted an interim cabinet.
The Okwir subsequently appointed Dr Baltazar Kyamanywa Kasirivu Atwooki as interim Prime Minister. Owek. Kugonza Miganda was appointed interim speaker of the Orukurato and Chairperson of the Clans Consultative Council.
Other appointments included Owek. John Apollo Rwemparo as First Deputy Interim Prime Minister and Minister of Tourism, Land and Natural Resources, while Owek. Stephen Mukitale was appointed 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. Francis Ssewante was appointed Interim Minister of Culture; Charlis Ochaki Nyabwongo, Interim Minister of General Duties and Disaster Preparedness; Simon Kinene, Interim Minister of Production; and Lenox Barongo Mugume, Interim Minister of Restitution and Reparations.
Other appointments included Annet Byaruhanga as Interim Minister of Gender and Community Development; Johnbosco Bukya as Interim Minister of Mineral Resources; Jackson Wabyona as Interim Minister of Education; James Kisoro Isagara as Interim Minister of External Relations; Farouk Alinaitwe as Interim Minister of Youth Skilling; and Owek. Daudi Chwa as Interim Minister of Investment, among others.
Byakutaga was originally appointed Prime Minister of the Bunyoro Kitara Kingdom by Omukama Solomon Gafabusa Rukirabasaija Agutamba Iguru I on January 15, 2018.
