The Babiito ruling clan of Bunyoro-Kitara Kingdom has ordered Prime Minister Andrew Kirungi Byakutaga to step down by October 15, 2026, declaring his tenure illegitimate and warning government agencies and investors against conducting kingdom transactions with him.
Thy accuse him of alleged unlawful extension of his term.
The directive was issued and signed by the Okwiri (Chief Prince) of Bunyoro-Kitara Kingdom, Eng. Fred Mugenyi Rucunya.
Eng. Rucunya stated that the Babiito clan leadership convened an emergency meeting and resolved that Byakutaga must step aside immediately.
The Chief Prince noted that Byakutaga’s substantive tenure lapsed alongside earlier interim extensions, leaving him without legal backing to govern.
Clan elders formally rejected decisions by the Royal Commission to prolong the Premier’s tenure, dismissing the administrative body’s mandate to grant tenure extensions.
The Okwiri pointed out that the kingdom has functioned without a recognized Rukurato (Parliament) and Cabinet for an extended period, stalling development across Bunyoro.
Eng. Rucunya warned external entities against executing commercial agreements or administrative transactions through the embattled Prime Minister.
He cautioned statutory agencies, development partners, private investors, and non-governmental bodies that the Babiito clan will not recognize contracts authorized under Byakutaga’s contested mandate.
Eng. Rucunya emphasized that third parties must verify legal authority before signing agreements, warning that unauthorized commitments will not bind the kingdom.
The Okwiri maintained that the clan’s intervention aims to protect cultural heritage and restore institutional stability rather than target Byakutaga personally.
He urged the people of Bunyoro to remain peaceful and respect cultural customs while internal dispute mechanisms resolve the institutional impasse.
Overview of the Babiito Clan
The Babiito (singular: Mubiito) dynasty has partial Luo origins and migrated to the African Great Lakes region in the 16th century (with some historical estimates placing the first king, Isingoma Mpuga Rukidi I, in the 14th/16th century).
They replaced the ancient Bachwezi dynasty and founded the modern line of kings (Omukama) of Bunyoro-Kitara. Over the centuries, Babiito offshoots also established related monarchies, including the Tooro and historically influenced the formation of Buganda and the head and Chief Prince of the clan is known as the Okwiri, currently Eng. Fred Mugenyi Rucunya
