Babiito, the ruling clan of the Bunyoro Kitara Kingdom, has fired the Kingdom’s Prime Minister (Omuhikirwa), Andrew Byakutaga, and appointed a new cabinet.
In a September 2 letter, Eng. Fred Rucunya Mugenyi, the Chief Prince (Okwiri) of Bunyoro Kitara Kingdom, the Okwiri has replaced Byakutaga with Dr. Baltazar Kyamanywa Kasirivu Atwooki as the new interim prime minister of the Kingdom.
In the new appointment, Owek. Kuganza Miganda has been named as the interim speaker of the Orukurato, doubling as the Chairperson of the Clans Consultative Council.
Other appointments include Owek. John Apollo Rwemparo was the first deputy interim prime minister and minister of tourism, land, and natural resources in Owek. Stephen Mukitale as the second Deputy Interim Prime Minister and Minister of Oil and Gas, Daphine Kabatalesa as the Interim Minister of Palace Affairs and PA to the Queen Mother (Omugo), and John Williams Byakagaba as the Interim Minister of Finance and Planning.
Additionally, Francis Ssewante has been appointed as the Interim Minister of Culture, Charlis Ochaki Nyabwongo as Interim Minister of General Duties and Disaster Preparedness, Simon Kinene as Interim Minister of Production, and Lenox Barongo Mugume as Interim Minister of Restitution and Reparations.
Annet Byaruhanga has been appointed 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 Cwa as Interim Minister of Investment, among others.
On Sunday evening, the Babiito convened an emergency meeting and issued a one-week ultimatum to Andrew Byakutaga to vacate his office, asserting that he is occupying it illegally. When contacted for a comment, the Chief Prince confirmed the formation of the new interim cabinet, stating that the Babiito clan heads unanimously agreed that Byakutaga should vacate the office, and an interim cabinet should be put in place.
Following this resolution, the new interim cabinet was instituted to help run the affairs and administration of the Kingdom.
According to Mugenyi, the Babiito clan was dissatisfied 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.
Mugenyi has warned those who would oppose his cabinet not to cause any commotion since it is the decision of the ruling clan that must be respected.
Byakutaga has not commented on the new appointment made by the Chief Prince. 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, in a letter dated June 27, 2024, the Royal Commission granted him an additional year in office.
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 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.
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