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Hoima, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Andrew Kirungi Byakutaga, the embattled Prime Minister of Bunyoro Kitara Kingdom, has vowed not to vacate his office, claiming that the new interim cabinet appointed by the Babiito clan is illegal. On September 2, Eng. Fred Rucunya Mugenyi, the Chief Prince (Okwiri) of Bunyoro Kitara Kingdom, announced that Byakutaga was being replaced by Dr. Baltazar Kyamanywa Kasirivu Atwooki as the new interim Prime Minister.
This decision came after an emergency meeting held by the Babiito clan, which issued a one-week ultimatum for Byakutaga to vacate his office, alleging that his tenure was illegal. The Babiito clan was dissatisfied with the Royal Commission’s decision in July to extend Byakutaga’s term by one year. Rucunya criticized the extension as unlawful, asserting that the authority to manage kingdom affairs when the Omukama is unable to do so lies with him, not the Royal Commission.
In an exclusive telephone interview with Uganda Radio Network (URN) on Wednesday morning, Byakutaga firmly stated that he would not leave office. He acknowledged the authority of the Okwiri but disputed the legitimacy of the document confirming the new interim cabinet, asserting that only the Omukama, Dr. Solomon Gafubusa Rukirabasaija Agutamba Iguru I, has the power to appoint or dismiss kingdom officials.
Byakutaga is consulting with his legal team to determine the appropriate response to the new interim cabinet, which he argues was established unlawfully.
In the new appointments announced by the Babiito clan, several key positions have been filled. Owek. Kugonza Miganda has been named the interim Speaker of the Orukurato and Chairperson of the Clans Consultative Council. Owek. John Apollo Rwemparo is the First Deputy Interim Prime Minister and Minister of Tourism, Land, and Natural Resources. Owek. Stephen Mukitale has been appointed as the Second Deputy Interim Prime Minister and Minister of Oil and Gas.
Daphine Kabatalesa will serve as the Interim Minister of Palace Affairs and PA to the Queen Mother (Omugo). John Williams Byakagaba is the Interim Minister of Finance and Planning. Francis Ssewante is the Interim Minister of Culture, Charles Ochaki Nyabwongo is the Interim Minister of General Duties and Disaster Preparedness, Simon Kinene has been named Interim Minister of Production, and Lenox Barongo Mugume is the Interim Minister of Restitution and Reparations.
Annet Byaruhanga is the Interim Minister of Gender and Community Development, Johnbosco Bukya is the Interim Minister of Mineral Resources, and Jackson Wabyona is the Interim Minister of Education. James Kisoro Isagara will serve as the Interim Minister of External Relations, Farouk Alinaitwe as the Interim Minister of Youth Skilling, Yunus Mugabe as the Interim Minister of Information and Kingdom Spokesperson, and Godfrey Segujja as the Interim Minister for Trade.
Spiririan Biribonwa has been appointed as the Interim Minister of Health and Owek. Daudi Cwa as the Interim Minister of Investment. Byakutaga’s original term expired in October 2023 and was extended until June 30, 2024. Despite this extension, the Babiito clan’s directive for his immediate departure has led to the current dispute. The Bunyoro Kitara Kingdom has faced a year without a functioning parliament and cabinet ministers due to Omukama’s illness.
Byakutaga was first appointed Prime Minister on January 15, 2018, by Omukama Solomon Gafubusa Rukirabasaija Agutamba Iguru I. In January 2022, Byakutaga was suspended by the Babiito clan over allegations of mismanagement and other accusations, but the Royal Commission reinstated him, affirming the Omukama’s sole authority over such matters.
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