Bunyoro Kingdom Leadership Crisis Set for Mediation

The prolonged leadership crisis in Bunyoro-Kitara Kingdom is set to come under discussion on November 7, when key traditional leaders, members of the royal family and clan representatives meet to explore ways of resolving the disputes over the institution’s governance and administration.

The meeting, scheduled to take place at Karuziika Palace in Hoima, follows months of disagreements over the tenure of Prime Minister Andrew Byakutaga and the authority to manage the kingdom’s affairs amid the indisposition of Omukama Solomon Gafabusa Agutamba Rukirabasaija Iguru I.

The Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development, which is responsible for matters relating to culture and traditional institutions, convened the meeting to bring together the rival factions and other stakeholders to discuss the challenges and consider a way forward.

In a letter dated October 21, 2026, Mary Kuteesa Kamuli, the Minister of State for Gender, Labour and Social Development in charge of Gender and Culture, said the ministry recognised the historical and cultural significance of the kingdom and its role in preserving the identity and unity of the Banyoro people.

The ministry said the meeting was necessary to address governance and administrative challenges arising from the Omukama’s indisposition. It is expected to bring together the executive of the ruling Babito clan, members of the Royal Commission, members of the royal family, the Bunyoro Clan Heads Forum, the Omuhikirwa (Prime Minister), the Nyina Omukama, the Batebe, the head of regalia and the chairperson of the Masaza chiefs.

Fred Mugenyi Rucunya, the Okwiri (Chief Prince) of the Babito clan, confirmed receiving the letter, saying the meeting could provide an opportunity to find a lasting solution to the leadership dispute. The ministry’s intervention comes weeks after the Babito clan issued a fresh ultimatum to Byakutaga, demanding that he vacate office by mid-October 2026.

In September, Rucunya accused Byakutaga of illegally occupying the office, arguing that his tenure had expired in 2024. Byakutaga’s original term ended in October 2023 but was extended until June 30, 2024. In a letter dated June 27, 2024, the Royal Commission granted him a further one-year extension.

Rucunya rejected the extension, arguing that the commission lacked the authority to prolong Byakutaga’s tenure. He maintained that the Omukama had vested him with the authority to manage the kingdom’s affairs when the monarch was unable to do so. Rucunya also accused the Royal Commission, chaired by Dr Fred Kabagambe Kaliisa, of frustrating his efforts to address governance concerns. 

He demanded public apologies from both the commission and Byakutaga over what he described as mismanagement of the kingdom. The Royal Commission was established by the Omukama in August 2017 to advise him and oversee the administration of the kingdom. Rucunya warned that failure by Byakutaga to leave office voluntarily by mid-October would prompt him to mobilise kingdom subjects to storm the palace and force him out.

He further accused the prime minister of running the kingdom without a cabinet for three years and alleged a lack of transparency and accountability, fraudulent financial activities and mismanagement of kingdom assets. The kingdom has been without a parliament and cabinet ministers since 2023, amid disagreements over its administration and the authority to make key appointments.

The dispute dates back to January 2022, when the Babito clan, led by the Okwiri, suspended Byakutaga over allegations of financial impropriety, lack of accountability, mismanagement of kingdom assets, destruction of cultural sites and the sale of kingdom land. The clan also accused him of isolating the Omukama from his relatives, an allegation he denied. Byakutaga maintained that only the Omukama had the authority to appoint or dismiss kingdom officials.

The Royal Commission subsequently reinstated him as prime minister in January 2022, affirming the monarch’s authority over such appointments. The dispute resurfaced in 2024 when Rucunya moved to remove Byakutaga and established an interim cabinet, appointing Dr Baltazar Kyamanywa Kasirivu Atwooki as interim prime minister. Other appointments included Owek. Kugonza Miganda as interim speaker of the Orukurato and chairperson of the Clans Consultative Council; Owek. John Apollo Rwemparo as first deputy interim prime minister and minister of Tourism, Land and Natural Resources; and Owek. Stephen Mukitale as second deputy interim prime minister and minister of Oil and Gas.

Daphine Kabatalesa was appointed interim minister of Palace Affairs and personal assistant to the Queen Mother, or Omugo, while John Williams Byakagaba was named interim minister of Finance and Planning. Other appointments included Francis Ssewante as interim minister of Culture; Charlis Ochaki Nyabwongo as interim minister of General Duties and Disaster Preparedness; Simon Kinene as interim minister of Production; and Lenox Barongo Mugume as interim minister of Restitution and Reparations.

Annet Byaruhanga was appointed interim minister of Gender and Community Development; Johnbosco Bukya, interim minister of Mineral Resources; Jackson Wabyona, interim minister of Education; James Kisoro Isagara, interim minister of External Relations; Farouk Alinaitwe, interim minister of Youth Skilling; and Owek. Daudi Chwa, interim minister of Investment, among others.

Byakutaga was appointed prime minister of Bunyoro-Kitara Kingdom by the Omukama on January 15, 2018. The November 7 meeting is expected to provide an opportunity for the kingdom’s rival factions to discuss their differences and identify a way to restore stability in the institution’s leadership and administration.