By Godfrey Muhumuza
The Council of Presidents, comprising of top religious officials in Bunyoro region, has urged Bunyoro Kitara Kingdom subjects to remain calm amidst the ongoing leadership struggles in the institution.
This has been echoed today Monday during a consultative meeting held at the Gulu University Hoima campus premises.
Bishop George William Kasangaki of Masindi Kitara Diocese, who chaired the Thursday meeting expressed concern over the ongoing standoff but says the council is looking for possible solutions for sanity to return in the Kingdom.
The meeting was graced by embattled Omuhikirwa Andrew Byakutaga Ateenyi, Chief Prince Mugenyi Fred Rucunya, the Chairperson of the Royal Commission Kabagambe Kaliisa among other key stakeholders.
The Council of Presidents has scheduled another meeting for September 21, this year with BKK clan heads to seek their views on the matter as part of the peace, unity and reconciliation efforts.
Recently, the Chief Prince elected a new interim cabinet that was later sworn into office.
But, over the weekend, embattled Prime Minister of Bunyoro-Kitara Kingdom, Andrew Byakutaaga, 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.
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.
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.
