The Babiito ruling clan of Bunyoro Kitara has given kingdom prime minister, also known as Omuhikirwa, Andrew Byakutaga, four weeks to vacate office.The fresh ultimatum was issued by the chief prince, the Okwir, Eng Fred Mugenyi Rucunya, while addressing journalists at his home in Rukooge Cell, Hoima city. Rucunya said Byakutaga was occupying the office illegally because his term expired in 2024 and ordered him to leave by mid-October.Byakutaga was appointed prime minister by Omukama Solomon Gafabusa Rukirabasaija Agutamba Iguru I on January 15, 2018. His initial term expired in October 2023 but was extended to June 30, 2024.When that period elapsed, the Babiito ordered Byakutaga to leave office. However, in a letter dated June 27, 2024, the royal commission granted him another one-year extension.Rucunya described the extension as unlawful, arguing that the royal commission had no authority to extend the premier’s tenure. He said the authority to manage the affairs of the kingdom when the Omukama is unable to do so was vested in him by the king.Rucunya also criticised the royal commission, saying that although he initially worked with its members to advance the interests of the kingdom, he later realised they were frustrating his efforts.He demanded that both the royal commission and Byakutaga publicly apologise to the people of Bunyoro for what he described as a mess in the administration of the kingdom.The royal commission, led by Dr Fred Kabagambe Kaliisa, was established by the Omukama in August 2017 to advise the king and oversee the administration of the kingdom.Threat to mobilise subjectsRucunya warned that Byakutaga must voluntarily leave office by mid-October, threatening to mobilise kingdom subjects to storm the palace and force him out if he failed to comply.He also accused Byakutaga of running the kingdom without a cabinet for the past three years and alleged a lack of transparency and accountability in the management of kingdom affairs.Rucunya further repeated allegations of fraudulent financial activities and mismanagement of kingdom assets. When contacted, Byakutaga declined to comment on the fresh ultimatum.“There is nothing I can comment about that issue. I really don’t know anything,” he said.Bunyoro Kitara has been without a parliament and cabinet ministers since 2023 amid disagreements over the administration of the kingdom and the authority to make key appointments.Dispute over Byakutaga’s tenureThe latest standoff is rooted in a dispute that has persisted for several years. In January 2022, the Okwir suspended Byakutaga, accusing him of lack of transparency and accountability, fraudulent financial activities and mismanagement of kingdom assets. The accusations also included alleged destruction of cultural sites and sale of kingdom land.The clan further accused Byakutaga of isolating the Omukama from his relatives, allegations he denied. Byakutaga maintained that only the Omukama had the authority to appoint or dismiss kingdom officials.The royal commission subsequently reinstated him as premier in January 2022, affirming the Omukama’s authority over such appointments. The dispute resurfaced in 2024 when Rucunya moved to remove Byakutaga from office and instituted an interim cabinet.Rucunya subsequently appointed Dr Baltazar Kyamanywa Kasirivu Atwooki as interim prime minister, while Kugonza Miganda was appointed interim speaker of the Orukurato and chairperson of the clans consultative council.John Apollo Rwemparo was appointed first deputy interim prime minister and minister of Tourism, Land and Natural Resources, while Stephen Mukitale became 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 Byakutaga became interim minister of Finance and Planning.The latest ultimatum therefore adds another layer to the unresolved contest over who has authority to appoint, remove and administer the affairs of the Bunyoro Kitara Kingdom.The post Babiito order Bunyoro Kitara prime minister to vacate office appeared first on The Observer Media Ltd.