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Summary:

• The royal family of Bunyoro Kitara Kingdom is suing Minister Betty Amongi and others, accusing them of conspiring to overthrow Omukama Dr. Solomon Gafabusa Iguru through the illegal appointment of regents, deemed a coup against the cultural traditions.

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The royal family of the Bunyoro Kitara Kingdom, descendants of Omukama (King) Kabaleega and hailing from the lineage of Omukama Dr. Solomon Gafabusa Iguru, have taken legal action against Ms. Betty Amongi, the Minister of Labour, Gender, and Social Development. They accuse her, along with the Bunyoro Kitara Kingdom Chief Prince (Okwiri) Eng Fred Mugenyi Rucunya and the Royal Commission Chairman, Dr. Fred Kabagambe Kaliisa, of conspiring to overthrow Omukama Dr. Solomon Gafabusa Iguru.

In civil suit No. 40 of 2023, the 12 plaintiffs, including Bunyoro’s princes and princesses, say that the accused trio, or their agents, proxies, and successors, have made declarations, judgments, and orders without the legal traditional mandate, power, and authority to appoint regents to rule in place of Omukama Iguru. The plaintiffs argue that any appointment of regents while Omukama Iguru is still alive constitutes a coup d’état and goes against the cultural, customs, and traditions of the Bunyoro Kitara Kingdom.

The lawsuit, dated December 6, 2023, emphasizes that the appointment of regents should follow the procedure of nominating a successor if needed, rather than unilaterally taking over in the absence of Omukama Iguru.

The plaintiffs, represented by lawyers from M/s Nyanzi, Kiboneka, and Mbabazai Advocates, claim that Eng Rucunya and Dr. Kabagambe are exploiting the Omukama’s poor health to facilitate his overthrow. Despite Omukama Iguru’s illness, the plaintiffs say that he remains the traditional and cultural leader of the kingdom, as established by the Constitution and the Institution of Traditional or Cultural Leaders Act, 2011.

The complaint alleges that Eng Rucunya has already assumed the powers of Omukama Iguru and is acting as the Omukama of Bunyoro Kitara Kingdom, backed by a letter dated November 15, 2023. The plaintiffs argue that the concept of regency propagated by Eng Rucunya and Dr. Kaliisa contradicts Chapter 16 of the constitution, as neither of them is in line with the birth or descent of Omukama Iguru as members of the royal family of the late Omukama Sir Tito Winyi or descendants of Omukama Kabaleega.

The plaintiffs contend that Eng Rucunya and Dr. Kabagambe, with the collaboration of Minister Amongi, are in advanced stages of gazetting regents who were allegedly appointed illegally, unlawfully, and in contravention of the cultural and traditional customs of the succession or appointment of kings.

The respondents are required to file a defense within 15 days from December 6, 2023, the date of the service of the summons, failure of which the plaintiffs may proceed with the suit, and judgment may be given in their absence. The plaintiffs include Princesses Tabitha Mpanja, Alice Biferamunda Bagaaya, and Joan Kabahanika, as well as Princes John Kabaleega, Samuel Harrison Gafabusa Kintu, and Edwards Karubanga.

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Okwiri Mugenyi, Chairman Royal Commission Kaliisa perpetrating illicit scheme and racket to dethrone

Omukama Dr IguruMinister Amongi, Okwiri, Kaliisa in advanced stages of working to gazette appointed regents illegally and unlawfully

Okwiri has already assumed powers of Omukama Iguru, is now working as Omukama of Bunyoro Kitara Kingdom

The Rukurato (Royal Parliament) abdicated its duties or otherwise dissolved itself without seeking the consent of Omukama Iguru and its appointer and leader though other organs the Royal Highness set up are still functional and operational

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