The Chief Prince (Okwir) of Bunyoro Kitara Kingdom, Eng Fred Mugenyi Rucunya, has today (Tuesday), September 3, 2024, unveiled an interim cabinet that will run the kingdom for the next three years.
The announcement follows a resolution made during a meeting with the heads of clans that tasked the Okwir to select new cabinet ministers within a week to resolve the kingdom’s leadership crisis that has persisted in the kingdom since December last year when the term of office of the then cabinet and members of the Royal Parliament expired and their contracts were never renewed.
However, the contract for the Prime Minister, Mr Andrew Byakutaaga, was renewed by the Royal Commission headed by the Senior Presidential Advisor on Oil and Gas, Dr Fred Kabagambe Kaliisa raising dust as to why the commission was selective in its execution.
The same meeting resolved that the heads of clans should serve as interim Members of the Royal Parliament (Orukurato).
In his announcement, Eng Rucunya said that the new cabinet assumes office with immediate effect, a move that is seen by some section of Banyoro as a significant stride forward towards ending the kingdom’s leadership crisis.
He told the press in Hoima city that the appointments followed several consultations that involved different stakeholders including clan heads of Bunyoro Kitara Kingdom who supported the move.
The appointees include former government ministers, commissioners, Members of Parliament, district local council chairpersons, top district heads of departments and renowned journalists among others.
The Chief Prince who is also the official father to the Omukama (King) said that he acted based on the full powers conferred to him by His Majesty Omukama Dr Solomon Gafabusa Iguru I.
Eng Rucunya said that prior to Omukama Iguru’s frailty, he was instructed to provide an administration link when the Omukama is away or indisposed for the continuity of the Bunyoro Kitara Kingdom’s culture, tradition and administration.
He revealed that the Queen Consort (Omugo) Margaret Karunga Adyeri; the Queen Mother (Nyina Omukama), Margaret Nyakabbwa Abwoli; the Kingdom Omugema, Mr Ronald Isagara, palace officials, elders, clan heads and representatives of all clans from all eight political administrative units that constitute Bunyoro Kitara Kingdom blessed the appointments.
The political administrative units include Hoima city and Masindi, Kiryandongo, Buliisa, Kikuube, Kagadi, Kakumiro and Hoima districts that form Bunyoro Kitara Kingdom.
The Chief Prince said that the interim Prime Minister will determine the fate of the old staff that has been working with the outgoing cabinet whether they can be retained or laid off including the technocrats like secretaries, cashiers and others depending on their professional observance when they were executing their work.
Interim cabinet
1. Dr Balthazar Kyamanywa Kasirivu Atwoki – Prime Minister
2. Prince John Rwamparo – First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Tourism, Lands and Natural Resources
3. Mr Stephen Biraahwa Mukitale – Second Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Oil and Gas
4. Mr Eria Kugonza – Speaker and Chairperson Clans Consultative Council
5. Princess Daphine Kabatalesa – Minister in charge of Palace Affairs and Personal Assistant to the Queen Consort (Omugo)
6. Mr John Williams Byakagaba – Minister for Finance and Planning
7. Mr Francis Sewante – Minister of Culture
8. Prince Charles Ochaki Nyabongo – Minister for General Duties and Disaster Preparedness
9. Mr Simon Agaba Kinene – Minister of Production
10. Mr Lenox Mugume – Minister of Restitution and Reparations
11. Ms Annet Byaruhanga – Minister of Gender and Community Development
12. Mr John Bosco Bukya – Minister of Mineral Resources
13. Mr Arinaitwe Farooq – Minister for Youth Skilling
14. Prince Cwa – Minister for Investment
15. Mr Baitera Maiteki – Minister of Legal Affairs
16. Mr Denis Musinguzi – Minister of Sports and Music Industry
17. Mr Jackson Wabyona – Minister of Education
18. Dr James Kisoro Isagara – Minister of External Relations
19. Mr Cyprian Biribonwa Akiiki – Minister of Health
20. Mr Godfrey Segujja – Minister of Trade
21. Mr Yunus Mugabe – Minister Information and Kingdom Spokesperson
22. Mr Sam Owori Otada Amooti – Bunyoro Kitara Kingdom Ambassador to the Diaspora
23. Rev Joash Aseka – Clerk to Parliament
24. Prince Harrison Samuel Gafabusa – Special Consultant on Culture and Palace Affairs
25. Princess Bagaaya Atwoki –Special Advisor on Culture and Palace Affairs
26. Mr Joseph Twegonze – Principal Lands and Forestry Supervisor
27. Mr Peter Ssentayi – Chairperson Land Board
28. Mr Francis Atugonza – Head of Abarusuura (Royal Traditional Guards)
29. Hajj Burhan Kyokuhaire Akiiki – Special Assistant on Culture
Speaking shortly after being announced as Minister of General Duties, Prince Charles Ochaki Nyabongo, vowed to serve the kingdom beyond the-self, ensuring good leadership and accountability.
He pledged to use his position to ensure that all cultural sites are restored given his earlier work acumen in the kingdom.
When approached for a comment about the new developments in the kingdom, Mr Byakutaaga vowed never to relinquish the office.
He says Okwir Rucunya’s action is tantamount to a coup.
