There is heavy security deployment at the Bunyoro Kitara Kingdom (BKK) headquarters in Hoima, with anti-riot police and Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) personnel surrounding the Kingdom chambers and the entrance to the palace. By 9 a.m. on Monday, security personnel had blocked access to the Kingdom chambers, locally known as the Rukurato, while others were patrolling parts of Hoima City.
Albertine Region Police spokesperson Julius Hakiza confirmed the deployment to Uganda Radio Network (URN), saying it followed intelligence indicating that some youths were being organised to demonstrate at the Kingdom headquarters. “We got intelligence-led information that some youth were being organized to demonstrate at the Bunyoro Kitara Kingdom offices for unknown reasons,” Hakiza said.
Hakiza said security had been deployed to prevent possible unrest and protect the Omukama, Kingdom employees and property, as well as maintain peace in the area. He warned members of the public against participating in unauthorised demonstrations, saying security forces would take necessary action to maintain order. Hakiza advised those intending to demonstrate to follow the required procedures and notify the Uganda Police Force.
He said security would maintain a presence at the Kingdom headquarters and palace to prevent disruption and ensure that people and businesses in Hoima City continue to operate normally.
Efforts to reach Bunyoro Kitara Kingdom Prime Minister Andrew Byakutaga for comment were unsuccessful as his phone was unavailable by press time. 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.
Last week, the Babiito, through the chief Prince, known as the Okwir, Eng. Fred Mugenyi Rucunya, gave Byakutaga a fresh ultimatum to vacate office by mid-October 2026. Rucunya, speaking to journalists at his home in Rukooge Cell, Hoima West Division, said Byakutaga was occupying the office illegally, arguing that his tenure had expired.
Byakutaga was originally appointed Prime Minister by Omukama Solomon Gafabusa Rukirabasaija Agutamba Iguru I on January 15, 2018. His original term expired in October 2023 and was later extended to June 30, 2024. However, in a letter dated June 27, 2024, the Royal Commission granted him a further one-year extension.
Rucunya has rejected the extension, arguing that the Royal Commission had no authority to extend the Prime Minister’s tenure. He has also accused Byakutaga of running the Kingdom without a cabinet for several years and raised allegations concerning transparency, accountability and management of Kingdom assets.
Rucunya warned that if Byakutaga did not voluntarily leave office by mid-October, he would mobilise Kingdom subjects to storm the palace and force him out. The dispute has previously resulted in rival administrative structures within the Kingdom.
In 2024, Rucunya moved to remove Byakutaga and appointed an interim administration headed by Dr Baltazar Kyamanywa Kasirivu Atwooki as Prime Minister. Other interim officials, including a speaker of the Orukurato and ministers, were also appointed. The leadership 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 financial impropriety, mismanagement of Kingdom assets, destruction of cultural sites, and sale of Kingdom land.
Byakutaga denied the allegations and 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 appointments.
The Royal Commission, chaired by Dr Fred Kabagambe Kaliisa, was established by the Omukama in August 2017 to advise him and oversee the administration of the Kingdom. The Bunyoro Kitara Kingdom has since been without a substantive parliament and cabinet amid the continuing disagreements over its administration and authority to make key appointments-URN. Give us feedback on this story through our email: kamwokyatimes@gmail.com
