The Bunyoro Kitara Kingdom, a traditional kingdom in western Uganda, has been at the center of a leadership dispute. According to 88.2 Sanyu FM, police and military personnel have vacated the kingdom's premises in Hoima after nearly two weeks of deployment. The security forces were initially deployed on September 21, 2026, to prevent possible unrest and protect the kingdom's employees, property, and leadership.
The deployment followed a renewed leadership dispute between the Babiito clan, the ruling clan of the kingdom, and Kingdom Prime Minister Andrew Byakutaga. The dispute centers on Byakutaga's continued occupation of the office despite an ultimatum to vacate by mid-October 2026. The Babiito clan, led by Chief Prince Eng. Fred Mugenyi Rucunya, claims Byakutaga's tenure has expired.
Byakutaga was appointed Prime Minister by Omukama Solomon Gafabusa Rukirabasaija Agutamba Iguru I on January 15, 2018. His initial term expired in October 2023 and was later extended to June 30, 2024. However, Rucunya rejected the extension, citing a lack of authority and raising concerns over transparency and accountability.
The leadership dispute has been ongoing for several years. In January 2022, the Babiito clan suspended Byakutaga, accusing him of financial impropriety and mismanagement of kingdom assets. Byakutaga denied the allegations, and the Royal Commission subsequently reinstated him as Prime Minister.
In 2024, Rucunya moved to remove Byakutaga and appointed an interim administration headed by Dr. Baltazar Kyamanywa Kasirivu Atwooki as Prime Minister. Other interim officials, including a speaker of the Orukurato and ministers, were also appointed. The kingdom's employees and subjects have been affected by the ongoing dispute.
The security deployment was intended to prevent possible unrest and protect the kingdom's employees, property, and leadership. The police and military personnel blocked access to the Rukurato, the kingdom's chambers, and patrolled parts of the city. The situation has been closely monitored by local authorities and stakeholders.
The withdrawal of security forces from the kingdom's premises is expected to pave the way for a resolution to the leadership dispute. The kingdom's leadership and stakeholders will need to engage in dialogue to find a lasting solution to the crisis.
Key points
- The security forces were deployed to prevent possible unrest and protect the kingdom's employees, property, and leadership.
- The leadership dispute centers on Prime Minister Andrew Byakutaga's continued occupation of the office despite an ultimatum to vacate.
- The kingdom's employees and subjects have been affected by the ongoing dispute.
