ROYAL FAMILY - H.M. The Omukama (King)



His Majesty

Rukirabasaija Agutamba Solomon Gafabusa Iguru I.

49th Omukama (King) of the Kingdom Bunyoro Kitara
27th Omukama in the Babiito Dynasty

The bachwezi dynasty was followed by the babiito dynasty of the current Omukama of Bunyoro-Kitara. Any attempt to pinpoint the dates of this, or any other dynasty before it, is pure conjecture; as there were no written records at the time. Modern day historians place the beginning of the babiito dynasty at around the time of the invasion of Bunyoro by the Luo from the North. The first mubiito (singular) king was Isingoma Mpuga Rukidi I, whose reign is placed around the 14th century. Todate, there have been a total of 27 babiito kings of Bunyoro-Kitara.

Great titels of HM the Omukama

Omukama of The Kingdom of Bunyoro-Kitara, Ruler of Hoima, Masindi, Kibaale, Buliisa, Kiryandongo, Kagadi and Kakumiro, The Grandson of Kabalega, The Healer, The Orphan Protector, The Hater of Rebellion, The Lion of Bunyoro, The Hero of Bunyoro, The Hero of Kabalega, The Defender and Protector of Banyoro Culture, The Defender and Protector of Banyoro Oral Tradition, The Defender of Traditional African Religions, The Defender of the Religions, etc. etc. etc.
– 49th Omukama of The Kingdom of Bunyoro-Kitara, 27th Omukama in The Babiito Dynasty-
The Sovereign Head and Grand Master of The Royal Order of Omujwaara Kondo and The Royal Order of Engabu, The Sovereign Head, Grand Master and Protector of The Most Honourable Order of Omukama Chwa II Kabalega, The Royal Patron of The Chivalrous and Religious Order of the Crown of Thorns, The Royal Patron of The Sovereign, Knightly and Noble Order of The Lion and Black Cross etc. etc. etc.-


On July 24, 1993, the Republic of Uganda constitutionally restored the traditional kingdoms that thrived in ancient times but had been abolished by the dictatorship in 1967. Unlike the broad political power and rights the ancient kings held, the new kings have no political power per se. However, HM The Omukama (King) Rukirabasaija Agutamba Solomon Gafabusa Iguru I. of Bunyoro-Kitara Kingdom and the Bunyoro-Kitara Kingdom were restored by the Amendment [No. 8] Act - Statute No. 8, Article 118 (1)- of 1993 enacted by the Parliament of Uganda and officially recognized and protected by the Constitution of the Republic of Uganda by Chapter IV. –Article 37.-, Chapter XVI. -Article 246. (1) – (6)- of 1995 and by the Amendment [No. 2] Act -schedule V. -Article 178.8- of 2005 and by the Acts Supplement [No. 4] -Act 6. of 2011.

In addition, His Majesty The Omukama (King) Rukirabasaija Agutamba Solomon Gafabusa Iguru I. was specifically recognized as the rightful King of Bunyoro-Kitara by the Supreme Court of Uganda (see Civil Appeal 18/94 and All Members of the Committee of Coronation of Prince Solomon Iguru of April 25, 1994). Similar to other reigning monarchs, the traditional kings currently serve as "cultural figures" or "traditional leaders" and are barred from engaging in politics.

His Majesty The Omukama is the 49th Omukama of The Kingdom of Bunyoro-Kitara and 27th Omukama in The Babiito Dynasty.

Because his ancestors never renounced their rights, never abdicated the kingdom, never ceded sovereignty, suffered exile rather than capitulate and concede anything, they maintained their original royal status and sovereign rights. This is very significant as His Majesty The Omukama (King) Rukirabasaija Agutamba Solomon Gafabusa Iguru I. is not simply a constitutional king. He is also the heir to a dynasty that has kept all its ancient rights intact.






Legal Situation

HM The Omukama (King) of Bunyoro-Kitara Kingdom and the Bunyoro-Kitara Kingdom were restored by the Amendment (No. 8) Act - Statute No. 8, Article 118 (1)- of 1993 enacted by the Parliament of Uganda AND officially recognized and protected by the Constitution of the Republic of Uganda by Chapter IV. –Article 37.-, Chapter XVI. -Article 246. (1) – (6)- of 1995 AND by the Amendment (No. 2) Act -schedule V. -Article 178.8- of 2005 AND by the Acts Supplement (No. 4) -Act 6. of 2011



Chapter Sixteen—Institution of Traditional or Cultural Leaders
246. Institution of traditional or cultural leaders.
(1) Subject to the provisions of this Constitution, the institution of traditional leader or cultural leader may exist in any area of Uganda in accordance with the culture, customs and traditions or wishes and aspirations of the people to whom it applies.
(2) In any community, where the issue of traditional or cultural leader has not been resolved, the issue shall be resolved by the community concerned using a method prescribed by Parliament.
(3) The following provisions shall apply in relation to traditional leaders or cultural leaders—
(a) the institution of traditional leader or a cultural leader shall be a corporation sole with perpetual succession and with capacity to sue and be sued and to hold assets or properties in trust for itself and the people concerned;
(b) nothing in paragraph (a) shall be taken to prohibit a traditional leader or cultural leader from holding any asset or property acquired in a personal capacity;
(c) a traditional leader or cultural leader shall enjoy such privileges and benefits as may be conferred by the Government and local government or as that leader may be entitled to under culture, custom and tradition;
(d) subject to paragraph (c) of this clause, no person shall be compelled to pay allegiance or contribute to the cost of maintaining a traditional leader or cultural leader;
(e) a person shall not, while remaining a traditional leader or cultural leader, join or participate in partisan politics;
(f) a traditional leader or cultural leader shall not have or exercise any administrative, legislative or executive powers of Government or local government.
(4) The allegiance and privileges accorded to a traditional leader or a cultural leader by virtue of that office shall not be regarded as a discriminatory practice prohibited under article 21 of this Constitution; but any custom, practice, usage or tradition relating to a traditional leader or cultural leader which detracts from the rights of any person as guaranteed by
this Constitution, shall be taken to be prohibited under that article.
(5) For the avoidance of doubt, the institution of traditional leader or cultural leader existing immediately before the coming into force of this Constitution shall be taken to exist in accordance with the provisions of this Constitution.
(6) For the purposes of this article, "traditional leader or cultural leader" means a king or similar traditional leader or cultural leader by whatever name called, who derives allegiance from the fact of birth or descent in accordance with the customs, traditions, usage or consent of the people led by that traditional or cultural leader.



8. Role of traditional or cultural leader
Where a traditional leader or cultural leader exists in a region the traditional or cultural leader shall—
(a) be the titular head of the regional government;
(b) be the titular head of the regional assembly and shall open, address and close the sessions of the regional assembly; and
(c) enjoy the benefits and privileges and roles as provided for in article 246 of this Constitution and by Parliament and the regional assembly.