Mayiga appeals to Buganda MPs to be united

By Jeff Andrew Lule & Moses Mulondo

KAMPALA - The Katikkiro of Buganda Charles Peter Mayiga has appealed to Buganda MPs to be united and work together regardless of their political and religious inclinations to develop the kingdom and the country.

The Katikkiro made the remarks on Tuesday at Bulange while meeting the Buganda MPs to brief them on his immediate priorities in his reign.

“As the Katikkiro I am not going to take sides because all of you are Kabaka’s subjects regardless of your political inclinations.  I will only de-campaign those who are disrespectful to the Kabaka,” Mayiga said.
 
The Katikkiro appealed to the MPs, most of whom were NRM members, to begin a new chapter of putting aside their political colours whenever it comes to Buganda issues and activities.

“The leaders in Mengo and those in parliament form the core of leadership for people of Buganda. It is therefore important for us to always interact and work together to develop our kingdom,” he elaborated.

The Buganda caucus chairman Godfrey Kiwanda asked the Katikkiro to brief them about the agreement Mengo had signed with President Yoweri Museveni but Mayiga declined.

“It be unfair for me to give you the details of the Memorundum of Understanding we signed with the central government before discussing it with my cabinet. But I can assure you we cannot betray Buganda. You know I have been in the Mengo issues for over 20 years.”

Giving an example of the natural response of a person called to be paid by his debtor who owes him a lot of money, Mayiga justified Mengo’s swift move to accept to sign the agreement.  

 Mayiga informed the over 40 MPs that his leadership would herald a new chapter where all leaders at all levels would be united to work together regardless of their religious and political inclinations for the common good of the kingdom.

Explaining that by independence time in 1962 Buganda was contributing two thirds to Uganda’s GDP and the World Bank report which shows that 75% of Uganda’s GDP is from the central region, Mayiga appealed to the Buganda MPs to always defend Buganda’s stake in Uganda.

“Buganda is a major stakeholder in Uganda. If Uganda was a company, Buganda would be a major shareholder. We gave Uganda a name. I request you to safeguard Buganda’s interests both in the parliament and in the cabinet,” Mayiga said.

Arguing that 28m out of the 33m Uganda understand Luganda, the Katikkiro said the debate on what should be the national language of Uganda is immaterial since it emerges naturally.

The newly appointed Katikkiro briefed the MPs that his major priorities would be safeguarding the throne of the Kabaka, rebuilding Kasumbi royal tombs, ensuring that Buganda reclaims all her properties, mobilize people to fight poverty and pushing for the federal system of government.

The MPs who included some ministers like the minister for trade Amelia Kyambadde, the minister for fisheries Ruth Nankabirwa and the minister for higher education John C. Muyingo, donated a van to the Katikkiro to help him carry out his kingdom activities.