Members of the Babiito Royal Clan in Bunyoro Kitara Kingdom have issued a two-week ultimatum to Prime Minister Andrew Byakutaga, demanding that he present a report, apologise and resign.

They accuse him of overstaying his term in office.

The demand was made by the kingdom’s Chief Prince, Okwir Fred Mugenyi Rucunya, who said Byakutaga’s extended term expired in June 2024 and that his continued presence is contributing to administrative difficulties within the kingdom.

Speaking to journalists at his home in Rukooge Cell, Hoima City, Mugenyi also reported that Omukama Rukirabasaija Gafabusa Solomon Iguru I remains unwell and called on the people of Bunyoro and Uganda to continue praying for him.

According to Bunyoro culture, Mugenyi said, the Okwir as head of the royal clan assumes certain responsibilities when the Omukama is unable to perform his duties.

He accused the Prime Minister (Omuhikirwa) of undermining that role.

“In an event like this, where the King is unable to perform his duties, the power of the kingdom lies in the hands of Okwir, which the Prime Minister (Omuhikirwa), who is in office illegally, is trying to demean. Not anymore,” he stated.

Mugenyi noted that other cabinet members left office after their terms expired, while Byakutaga remained, creating what he described as an irregular situation.

He argued that the King’s prolonged illness, which has lasted several years, should not be used to justify officials remaining beyond their terms.

He further alleged that the Babiito clan had remained silent while the Prime Minister engaged in activities that included selling kingdom property, leasing land and failing to provide accountability.

He did not present specific evidence during the briefing.

Drawing lessons from recent events in Tooro Kingdom, particularly the stance taken by its Babiito succession committee and Omusuuga Charles Kamurasi, Mugenyi said: “His term of office expired in 2024. Unfortunately, the King who appointed him has been sickly since 2019. When your term is over, you leave… He must go within two weeks.”

He also insisted that the Prime Minister, as an appointee responsible for administration, should not interfere in cultural matters.

Mugenyi raised further concerns about the management of kingdom assets, alleging that land and other property had been sold or leased under the current leadership.

He claimed that some government officials were influencing Byakutaga and blocking his efforts to meet President Yoweri Museveni on kingdom issues.

If Byakutaga fails to comply with the ultimatum, Mugenyi said the Babiito clan would announce a new Prime Minister to ensure the smooth running of the kingdom’s affairs.

Byakutaga declined to respond directly to the ultimatum.

He acknowledged that the prolonged absence of the Omukama has affected the administration of the kingdom but said efforts are underway to find a lasting solution.

“The administration is not running well due to the absence of the King, but efforts and avenues on how to have the operations run are on. We hope and pray he gets well so that he can take charge of his kingdom,” he said.

Byakutaga and his cabinet were appointed by Omukama Iguru in 2018.

The King fell ill the following year, and the kingdom has since operated with limited involvement from him.

The cabinet’s term expired in 2023, after which most ministers left office.

The Royal Commission, chaired by senior presidential adviser Dr Kabagambe Kaliisa, reportedly granted Byakutaga a one-year extension to avoid an administrative vacuum.

That extension ended in mid-2024, yet he continued in the role.

Attempts to establish regents to oversee the kingdom’s affairs have not produced a lasting arrangement.

The latest ultimatum has renewed attention on the leadership and administration of Bunyoro Kitara Kingdom.