The High Court in Hoima has ruled that the appointment of interim leaders in the Bunyoro Kitara Kingdom by Chief Prince Fred Mugenyi Ruchunya, culturally known as Okwiri, was lawful.
The ruling followed a consent judgment on December 16, 2024, after a legal challenge by Dennis Asiimwe over the appointments' legitimacy in the absence of proof regarding the incapacitation of King Solomon Gafabusa Iguru I.
The court affirmed that Prince Mugenyi acted within his powers, clearing the way for the interim leadership to manage the kingdom's affairs.
“The plaintiff acknowledges the fact that the 1st Defendant was appointed by the Omukama of Bunyoro Kitara Kingdom as the Okwiri vested with powers to perform administrative functions in the event the King is incapacitated,” the judgment stated.
The court also affirmed that the interim Prime Minister and cabinet ministers, appointed in September 2024, should formally assume their roles and execute their administrative duties.
“The interim Prime Minister and interim cabinet ministers appointed in September 2024 are obliged to take possession of their offices and conduct administrative duties,” the court ruled.
This ruling settles the claims against Prince Mugenyi, clearing the way for the interim leadership to continue managing the kingdom's affairs.
Each party will bear its own costs.
Leadership dispute
The leadership dispute emerged in September when Prince Mugenyi appointed Dr. Kasirivu Kyamanya, a former minister and legislator, as the interim prime minister, citing the expiration of Andrew Byakutaga’s tenure on June 30, 2024.
Byakutaga, however, rejected the move, asserting that his appointment could only be terminated by King Iguru.
“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,” Byakutaga said.
Prince Mugenyi defended his actions, explaining that the King, who has been battling health challenges since 2020, empowered him to ensure continuity of administrative functions.
“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,” he declared.
Okwiri’s appointments included Dr. Kasirivu Kyamanya as interim Prime Minister, Eria Kugonza as interim Speaker, and several other key figures such as John Apollo Rwamparo, Stephen Mukitale Birahwa, and Daphine Kabatalesa in various ministerial positions.
The Chief Prince further argued that the terms of office for cabinet ministers and members of the Rukurato, the kingdom’s parliament, ended in October 2023, leaving a leadership vacuum that required urgent intervention.
The Bunyoro Kitara Kingdom now finds itself at a crossroads as the ruling seeks to solidify the interim leadership amid ongoing disputes surrounding governance and the King’s prolonged health challenges.