Byakutaga dismisses new Bunyoyo Kingdom cabinet appointments as null and void
Byakutaga also warned the public against engaging with individuals involved in the so-called interim cabinet.
Embattled Prime Minister of Bunyoro-Kitara Kingdom, Andrew Byakutaaga, has rejected the appointment and swearing-in of an interim cabinet by Chief Prince Fred Mugenyi Ruchunya, calling the move “inconsequential” and lacking legal authority.
During a press briefing on Sunday, Byakutaaga addressed concerns raised by kingdom subjects over the legitimacy of the new appointments.
He clarified that only the Omukama, as the cultural head, has the authority to appoint or remove individuals from kingdom positions.
He referenced Article 246 of the Ugandan Constitution and the Traditional and Cultural Leaders Act of 2011 to support his stance.
“The swearing-in ceremony by the Okwiri [Chief Prince] on September 14 is null and void, and the public should disregard it entirely,” Byakutaga stated.
He emphasized that the role of the Okwiri is purely cultural and does not extend to the governance or administration of the kingdom's affairs, stressing that no legal powers had been transferred to Ruchunya, contrary to what was presented during the ceremony.
“There is a forged document being used by the Okwiri, purporting that the King gave him all his powers. This is impossible. We cannot have two Kings,” he added.
The kingdom intends to file a criminal case against Ruchunya for forgery.
Byakutaga also warned the public against engaging with individuals involved in the so-called interim cabinet.
“The people who were sworn in are not recognized by the kingdom and cannot act on behalf of the Omukama or any kingdom office,” he said.
The kingdom's administration, he assured, remains intact and unaffected by the recent developments.
In recently, Kasirivu Kyamanya was appointed as the new Prime Minister of Bunyoro-Kitara by Chief Prince Fred Mugenyi Ruchunya, also known culturally as Okwiri.
Kyamanya, a former central government minister, was named as part of a move to replace Byakutaga, who has been accused of holding office illegally after the expiration of his term.
However, Byakutaga remains firm, stating that his tenure can only be terminated by King Solomon Gafabusa Iguru I, who has been battling health complications for the past five years.
Chief Okwiri, on the other hand, alleges that Byakutaga’s term expired on June 30, 2024, citing poor cooperation and the unauthorized sale of kingdom property as reasons for his dismissal.
Byakutaga has denied these allegations and insists that he will not leave office until directed to do so by the King.
