The leadership crisis in Bunyoro-Kitara Kingdom has taken a dramatic new turn, with the Babiito ruling clan demanding that Prime Minister Andrew Byakutaga Ateenyi vacate office amid fresh allegations over the management of Kingdom assets and Shs184.6 billion in transactions.
The accusations, made by the Kingdom’s Chief Prince (Okwir), Fred Mugenyi Rucunya, have added a financial dimension to a dispute that has for years centred on the authority to run the Kingdom while Omukama Solomon Gafabusa Rukirabasaija Agutamba Iguru I remains unable to actively perform his duties because of illness.
Rucunya alleges that a forensic audit uncovered what he described as unexplained or unaccounted-for funds linked to the sale or compensation of several Kingdom properties.
He put the disputed transactions at Shs80 billion for Kyempisi royal ranches in Masindi, Shs39.6 billion for land in Kyangwali, Kikuube, Shs32 billion relating to Kingdom land in Kakumiro and Shs33 billion in compensation connected to Kinyara Sugar Works. Together, the figures cited by Rucunya amount to Shs184.6 billion.
“The reason we have ordered Omuhikirwa to step aside is following a forensic audit exposing the missing of money from the following transactions which were made under his watch,” Rucunya said. He alleged that the money from the transactions could not be satisfactorily accounted for.
The allegations have not, however, been independently established in the public record reviewed for this report. Byakutaga has previously maintained that the affairs of the Kingdom are managed through established structures and that he remains in office by the authority of the Omukama.
Babiito demand Byakutaga’s exit
The latest confrontation follows a fresh ultimatum by Rucunya and the Babiito, the ruling clan, for Byakutaga to leave office.
Rucunya has disputed the legality of Byakutaga’s continued occupation of the Prime Minister’s office, arguing that his original term expired in October 2023.
Records show that Byakutaga was appointed Prime Minister by Omukama Iguru on January 15, 2018. His initial term expired in October 2023 and was subsequently extended to June 30, 2024.
When that period expired, the Babiito, through Rucunya, demanded that he leave.
However, the Royal Commission, headed by Dr Fred Kabagambe Kaliisa, extended Byakutaga’s tenure by another year in a June 27, 2024 letter. The commission said it had considered his performance and explanations concerning outstanding reports before granting the extension.
Rucunya has rejected that extension, arguing that the Royal Commission did not have the authority to extend the Prime Minister’s tenure.
The disagreement over the extension has remained at the heart of the confrontation between the Babiito and Byakutaga.
In the latest demand, Rucunya gave Byakutaga until mid-October to vacate office and hand over Kingdom property. Reports indicate that the Babiito have also warned Government agencies and investors against conducting Kingdom transactions with Byakutaga.
Rucunya has further demanded accountability and a public explanation over the administration of the Kingdom.
The Shs184.6b question
The financial allegations have now become one of the most explosive aspects of the dispute. According to Rucunya, the Shs184.6 billion figure comprises four major transactions.
The first is the alleged Shs80 billion from the sale of the Kyempisi royal ranches in Masindi.
The second is Shs39.6 billion allegedly associated with Kyangwali land in Kikuube, where a major refugee settlement is located. The third is Shs32 billion which Rucunya says relates to Kingdom land in Kakumiro.
The fourth is Shs33 billion which he says was paid as compensation in relation to Kinyara Sugar Works. Rucunya says the money from these transactions cannot be accounted for and has consequently demanded that Byakutaga step aside.
The allegations are significant because they go beyond the question of tenure and directly raise questions about the stewardship of Kingdom property and finances.
Byakutaga has, however, consistently rejected the suggestion that the Kingdom is being run outside its institutional structures. He has maintained that he was appointed by the Omukama and that his authority derives from the King.
The financial allegations would require documentary verification, including the alleged forensic audit, transaction records, land agreements, compensation documents, bank records and the Kingdom’s audited accounts, before the claims can be independently established.
Clash over who runs Bunyoro
At the centre of the dispute is a constitutional and cultural question: who exercises authority over the Kingdom when the Omukama is unable to perform his duties?
Rucunya says that, under Bunyoro’s cultural arrangements, the Okwir, as head of the Babiito ruling clan, assumes responsibility for Kingdom affairs when the Omukama cannot perform his duties.
He has consequently challenged Byakutaga’s continued leadership and indicated that the Babiito intend to reorganise the administration.
Omukama’s illness fuels the dispute
The leadership struggle has become more complicated because Omukama Iguru has been unwell. Rucunya recently disclosed that the King remains ill and called on the people of Bunyoro and Uganda to pray for his recovery.
The nature of the illness has not been publicly disclosed. The Omukama’s prolonged absence from active administration has created what both sides acknowledge as a difficult situation for the Kingdom.
Byakutaga has acknowledged that the absence of the King has affected the running of the Kingdom, while saying efforts are being made to find a lasting solution.
Rucunya, meanwhile, argues that the situation requires the Okwir and the Babiito to assume greater responsibility.
This disagreement has now spilled into appointments, administration, property management and control of Kingdom institutions.
Security deployed as tensions rise
The latest escalation has also brought security forces into the dispute. On Monday, September 21, police and UPDF personnel were deployed around Bunyoro-Kitara Kingdom premises in Hoima.
Byakutaga said the Kingdom had received a security briefing indicating that unknown individuals were allegedly planning an attack on Kingdom facilities.
Police later said the deployment followed intelligence about a planned demonstration and possible attack on Kingdom facilities and officials.
Rucunya, however, protested after security personnel were also deployed at his home.
Security remained around Kingdom premises on Tuesday, with police describing the deployment as a preventive measure intended to avert possible chaos or unauthorised demonstrations.
The deployment has heightened concern because the security presence comes at a time when Rucunya and the Babiito are openly challenging Byakutaga’s authority.
A Kingdom at a crossroads
The dispute has therefore moved beyond a simple disagreement over the tenure of a Prime Minister.
It now involves competing interpretations of cultural authority, the powers of the Omukama, the role of the Okwir, the legitimacy of the Royal Commission, the management of Kingdom assets and allegations involving Shs184.6 billion.
Meanwhile, the person whose authority both sides invoke — Omukama Solomon Gafabusa Iguru I — remains ill and unable to take an active role in resolving the dispute.
That has left Bunyoro facing an increasingly bitter institutional standoff, with the Shs184.6 billion allegations now adding a potentially explosive financial dimension to a leadership crisis that has been unfolding for several years.
For the Kingdom, the immediate challenge is to establish who has lawful and culturally recognised authority to administer its affairs, while ensuring that the competing financial and property allegations are subjected to transparent documentary and, where necessary, independent scrutiny.
Author Profile
- Charles Gazza Kodili is a seasoned journalist with over 20 years of experience in the media industry. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Mass Communication. He’s currently the Chief Editor at the Investigator.
Charles can also be reached via; Tel: +256 774 108978
Email: [email protected]
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