By Peter Abanabasazi
Bunyoro Kitara Kingdom- BKK ruling clan – the Babito headed by the chief prince (Okwiri) Eng. Fred Mugenyi Ruchunya has called for a dialoge meeting to solve the leadership crisis in the Kingdom.
The call follows the expiry of the term of office for the Kingdom Prime Minister (Omuhikirwa) Andrew Byakutaga on 30th of June 2024.
On October 29, 2023, the contract of BKK cabinet ministerS, Rukurato (parliament) members and that of the PM expired.
The Ministers (Abagaatwa) and Members of Parliament (Abakurasi) handed over the office but the Prime Minister Byakutaga’s contract was extended by the Kingdom Royal commission headed by Fred Kallisa Kabagambe to June 30th 2024.
Since October 29, 2023 the Kingdom has been operating without cabinet and the Budget for the financial year 2024-2025 since Omukama Iguru who is supposed to appoint or renew the appointment of ministers is indisposed.
Speaking to the press on Mnday, Ruchunya says since the tenure of the Prime Minister expired on Sunday 30th June 2024 the Kingdom has no prime Minister and the Kingdom affaires has to continue.
He notes that apart from Omukama Iguru who appointed the Prime Minister and his cabinet, there is nobody in the kingdom with power to appoint Katikiro and his cabinet.
He adds that the Kingdom is in a crisis adding that they have been advocating to have regents to help Omukama Iguru who is unable to perform his duties but their efforts were stopped by a High Court injunction following a case that was filed by family members of former King of Bunyoro Kitara Kingdom Sir Tito Winyi Gafafusa disputing the appointment of the regents.
Ruchunya adds that the Royal Commission is in an advisory capacity adding that the commission excised its delegated Authority to give Byakutaga terms and tenure of service and was never given Authority on its own to appoint and extend the tenure of the Prime Minister.
He notes that any person who attempts to renew and appoint the Prime Minister usurping the powers of the Omukama is wrong adding that because of this challenge they need to have a meeting and dialogue and find a solution to impasse.
He adds that as the ruling clan and they are concerned with the letter dated 4th of September 2017 claimed to be signed by Omukama Iguru giving the Royal commission powers to appoint and vet the prime Minister. The letter also gives the Royal commission powers to manage the transition of the Omukama’s Authority among others.
Ruchunya describe this letter as forgery and called on the relevant Authority to investigate the author of the letters
However, the BKK spokesperson Francis Mugerwa, in letter dated July 1, 2023 indicates that Byakutaga is still the Kingdom Prime Minister.
He says the Omukama Iguru appointed Byakutaga on 15th of January 2018 adding that his appointment was open and it had no expiry date.
