By Peace Lawrence Ayesigwa and Robert Atuhairwe
An Ad hoc Committee which was set up by Bunyoro-Kitara Kingdom Rukurato- supreme council to investigate alleged misuse of kingdom resources has finally met Fred Mugenyi Rucunya, the Chief Prince.
Rucunya had in the past declined to meet the committee under the pretext that the matter was before court.
Rucunya the main petitioner had particularly querried expenditure of sh20b that the kingdom received as part of compensation from the government.
Rucunya locally known as Okwiri has been in the media asking some kingdom officials to account for the aforesaid money after they used part of it to purchase a sh1.6b building in Hoima City, among other alleged questionable expenditures.
He pins the kingdom Omuhikirwa (Prime Minister), Andrew Kirungi Byakutaga and minister for finance, Robert Owagonza whom he insists must step aside to allow relevant government bodies to investigate the alleged financial impropriety.
Byakutaga has since denied the allegations, noting that whatever they are doing is within the precincts of the law.
Owagonza, Byakutaga and the kingdom Attorney General, Edgar Agaba have since dragged Rucunya to Masindi High Court accusing him of defamation.
The five-member ad hoc committee constituted on March 26, 2022 is headed by the Omutalindwa (Speaker), Isaac Kalembe.
Other members on the committee are Edward Muhimbo, Davidson Madira, Johnbosco Bukya, Gerald Businge and Justin Asiimwe.
The Committee has already interacted with the aggrieved parties’ majority who are members of the ruling Babiito clan and is continuing to engage other stakeholders in accordance with its mandate.
Although details of the submissions from each party could not be revealed, sources told The Albertine Journal that the meeting took place at a posh Hotel in Hoima City on Tuesday.
Francis Mugerwa, the Kingdom Spokesperson said in a Whatsapp communication a day later that the Committee will present its findings to the Rukurato soon.
The Rukurato which was inaugurated by Omukama Solomon Gafabusa Igru in 2019, includes 117 members each from a sub county.
It (Rukurato) sits once in a quarter but committees sit regularly depending on business required at hand.
The Rukurato has a duty of passing bylaws and policies, conducting oversight, approving work plans and the budget for the kingdom.