Bunyoro Prince appoints new premier amid kingdom leadership standoff

Andreww Byakutaga is adamant, claiming his tenure can only be ended by King Solomon Gafabusa Iguru I, who has been battling health complications for the past five years.

Bunyoro Kingdom is engulfed in chaos following the appointment of former Kasirivu Kyamanya as the new prime minister.

Mr Kyamanya, a former minister in the central government, was yesterday named as the new kingdom premier by Chief Prince Fred Mugenyi Rukyunya, also known culturally as Okwiri.

They accused Prime Minister Andrew Byakutaga of being in office illegally after expiration of his term of office.

But Mr Byakutaga is adamant, claiming his tenure can only be ended by King Solomon Gafabusa Iguru I, who has been battling health complications for the past five years.

Chief Prince Okwiri alleges that Byakutaga’s tenure expired and cites poor cooperation and the unauthorised sale of kingdom property as reasons for his dismissal.

Byakutaga, however, denies these allegations and insists he will not leave office until the King, who appointed him, directs him to do so.

Over the weekend, Bunyoro Kitara Kingdom clan heads and other officials resolved that Chief Prince Okwiri should exercise his powers, as granted by the king before he apparently stopped day-to-day running of the affairs, to appoint an interim cabinet.

This decision was made on the grounds that Byakutaga’s term had expired on June 30, 2024.

On Tuesday morning, Chief Prince Okwiri announced the formation of an interim cabinet.

In a two-page press release, Okwiri appointed Dr Kyamanya, a former Minister of Economic Monitoring and legislator, as the interim prime minister.

He also named Eria Kugonza as the interim Speaker for Rukurato and Chair of the Clans Consultative Council.

Other appointments include John Apollo Rwamparo as the First Deputy Interim Prime Minister and Minister of Tourism, Lands, and Natural Resources; and Stephen Mukitale Birahwa, a former Buliisa legislator, as the Second Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Oil and Gas.

Daphine Kabatalesa was named as the Minister for Palace Affairs and Personal Assistant to the Queen; John Williams Byakagaba as the Minister of Finance and Planning; Francis Ssewante as Interim Minister for Culture; and Charles Ochaki Nyabongo as Minister for Gender Duties and Disaster Preparedness.

Simon Kinene was appointed as Minister for Production; and Lenox Mugume Barongo as Minister for Reinstitution and Reparation.

Additional appointees include John Bosco Bukya as Interim Minister for Mineral Resources, Faruku Alinaitwe as Minister for Youth Skilling, Dauda Chwa as Minister for Investment, Maiteki Baitera as Minister for Legal Affairs, Dennis Musinguzi as Minister for Sport and Music Industry, and Jackson Wabyona as Minister of Education.

James Kisoro Isagara was appointed as Minister of Health, and former RDC Yunusi Mugabi as Minister for Information. Godfrey Ssegujja has been appointed Trade Minister, and Annet Byaruhanga as Minister for Gender and Community Development, and Kingdom Spokesperson.

Chief Prince Okwiri stated that the term of office for Prime Minister Andrew Byakutaga expired on June 30, 2024, creating a vacancy.

He further noted that the terms of office for the cabinet ministers and members of Rukurato ended on October 19, 2023, leaving a vacuum in the kingdom's administrative affairs.

Okwiri said while King Iguru remains out of public life due to ill-health, he had granted him the authority to provide leadership and ensure the continuity of the kingdom's cultural and administrative affairs.

“Being aware that His Royal Majesty, the Omukama, is critically ill and also aware of the authority given to me earlier, I will provide a leadership link for the continuity of the kingdom's cultural and administrative business in the event that the Omukama is away or indisposed," Okwiri declared.

He said his appointments followed close consultation and agreement with Queen Margaret Karunga, the dowager Margaret Nyakabwa, Ronald Isagara Mugema of the Bunyoro Kitara Kingdom, and with the full consent of the Rukurato of Bunyoro Kitara Kingdom.

Byakutaga, however, argued that he was appointed by the king and can only be dismissed by the king.

"I was appointed by the king. The chief prince's role is to head the ruling Babiito clan. I don’t understand why he is meddling in kingdom leadership matters that are done culturally," Byakutaga said.

Let him handle the Babiito issues because there are many. I’m here, and I will not leave office."

Byakutaga questioned the authority of Chief Prince Okwiri to dismiss the prime minister, pointing out that both he and Okwiri were appointed by the same person—the King, who is currently unable to perform his duties due to his critical health condition.

The king fell ill in 2020 and has not regained full health to lead the kingdom.

Currently, the kingdom has no ministers or Rukurato members since their terms expired in October 2023.