Bunyoro king swears in new prime minister

The newly appointed Bunyoro Kitara kingdom prime minister, Mr Andrew Byakutaaga has been sworn in.
The swearing in ceremony was this afternoon held at the Omukama’s
Byakutaaga, a petroleum scientist on Thursday took an oath that was dictated by the Hoima grade one magistrate Mr Daniel Bwambale at a function that was presided over the King of Bunyoro Dr Solomon Gafabusa Iguru I at Karuziika palace in Hoima town.

In his inaugural speech shortly after being sworn in, Mr Byakutaaga, a former customs supervisor at Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) thanked the King for appointing him and promised to serve with loyalty, dedication and hard work.
He promised to work with the Bunyoro Kitara kingdom royal commission, kingdom officials, religious, political, private sector leaders and other stakeholders to ensure Bunyoro regains its former glory.
“I promise to serve with all my energy, wisdom, God being my helper. I will do so following the norms, values and culture of Bunyoro Kitara,” Mr Byakutaaga said.

He said the way the world has changed; similarly, the methods of work also need to change.
He appreciated the work of the King and the Bunyoro Kitara Kingdom Royal commission in streamlining the operations of the Kingdom.
“The journey we have started today is for all of us. Let us work together and be patient. We should learn to forgive each other,” Byakutaaga added.

Reshuffle
In his letter dated January 15, Omukama Gafabusa retired the Kingdom prime minister Mr Norman Lukumu and his cabinet after three years of service.
“As a traditional ruler mandated by the constitution of the republic of Uganda, the restitution statute No. 8 and the traditional rulers act, 2011, I have decided to retire you as a prime minister/Omuhikirwa of Bunyoro Kitara Kingdom”Dr Iguru wrote to Mr Lukumu.
The king stated that he had appointed Mr Byakutaaga as new prime minister and asked Mr Lukumu to handover office.

New cabinet
In Byakutaaga’s appointment letter which this reporter has seen, the king directed him to work closely with the kingdom royal commission to nominate cabinet ministers and other officers in line with the new management structure.
The nominated officers and ministers will be presented to the royal commission for vetting before they are appointed by the king, the letter added.

The king also appointed scholars to develop a kingdom’s 30-year development plan and set up administrative and financial systems. They include Prof Vince Bagire, a lecturer at Makerere business school, Dr
Fred Muhumuza, a Makerere university don, Dr Sylvester Kugonza, a lecturer at Uganda Management Institute, Mr Abdul Byakagaba, a petroleum geologist and Mr Patrick Kaberenge, the board chairman of the
National Social Security fund (NSSF).

“I request you to liaise with the Bunyoro Kitara royal commission to whom you will be reporting to acquaint yourself with your schedule of duties and terms of service,” the king wrote to Mr Byakutaaga.

Mr Byakutaaga is a businessman who previously served as the kingdom minister in charge of Oil and gas.

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