Stop asking politicians for money, Katikkiro Mayiga tells Ugandans
“I would like to call upon the people of Buganda to stop asking money from the politicians. They gave them money to buy vehicles (and I hear people calling it huge money) but sincerely it’s not a lot of money given the loads of work at play for a member of parliament in five years,” said Mayiga.
Buganda Kingdom Prime Minister Charles Peter Mayiga (center) during a meeting at the kingdom headquarters at Bulange, Mengo in Rubaga division on July 22, 2026. ( Photos by Dickson Kulumba)
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Buganda Kingdom Prime Minister Charles Peter Mayiga has appealed to voters to stop the habit of soliciting money from politicians, a practice he said undermines service delivery.
The premier also briefed Mukono South Member of Parliament Robert Maseruka on the roles of a legislator, cautioning him against spending too much time on matters that are not part of his responsibilities.
He cited activities such as attending burials, funeral rites, weddings and fundraising for churches and mosques, saying they are worthwhile but do not form part of an MP's official duties.
He made the remarks during a meeting with Maseruka, 26, who paid him a courtesy visit on July 22, 2026, at the kingdom headquarters at Bulange, Mengo in Rubaga division, Kampala. Mayiga noted that voters' demands for money from their leaders have prevented politicians from performing their duties effectively.
“I would like to call upon the people of Buganda to stop asking money from the politicians. They gave them money to buy vehicles (and I hear people calling it huge money) but sincerely it’s not a lot of money given the loads of work at play for a member of parliament in five years,” said Mayiga.
Katikkiro Mayiga added that if a Member of Parliament has the means, he or she can educate children in the area, support projects and contribute to fundraising for churches, mosques and weddings.
“But the roles of a Member of Parliament are different from these. Your major role is to act as a voice of your constituency to the floor of Parliament; agitating for health promotion, building of education institutions among others that affect your community,” noted Mayiga.
Mayiga told Maseruka to focus on proposing and debating laws for the good of Ugandans, carrying out oversight of government projects in his area and participating in the budget process.
He added that a Member of Parliament does not receive money to build roads or bridges unless they embezzle government funds.
As a Member of Parliament from Buganda, Mayiga asked Maseruka to remain firm whenever kingdom matters are discussed on the floor of Parliament.
He said the kingdom is still advocating for a federal system of governance, which it considers suitable for Uganda's development. He added that Buganda is also pursuing unresolved Ebyaffe demands, including large sums of money it says are owed by the central government, as well as issues of land grabbing and poverty, among others.
Mayiga advised Maseruka to remain courageous while performing his duties but cautioned him against becoming a martyr.
“Always be careful of the praises people normally throw at those whom they expect to get goodies from; they can land you in trouble. Being courageous moves with being careful. We would wish you to be courageous but not a martyr who dies from battles. A hero is a careful person who escapes the death traps and is able to narrate the story the other day. Be a hero, not a martyr,” Mayiga advised Maseruka.
He added: “As you perform your duties. Get someone whom you can confine with and get advice whenever needed, adding that the grown-up people, the old, were once youth, making it sensible to have one who can always render advice.”
Maseruka, who was groomed through Buganda's youth training initiative, Nkobazambogo, was accompanied by his mother, Joselyn Nanfuka, and members of his local team.
Maseruka said he was grateful to Katikkiro Mayiga and the entire kingdom leadership for initiatives aimed at promoting young people through sports, leadership and other programmes.
"My visit here is aimed at seeking your wise counsel on several matters so that I can learn as I start my parliamentary term," said Maseruka.
He promised to support the kingdom's agenda and thanked its leadership for welcoming politicians regardless of their political affiliations.
Maseruka, who contested on the National Unity Platform ticket, defeated the incumbent, Fred Kayondo, the Democratic Party candidate.