Kyagulanyi pledges to protect cultural institutions, calls for national unity
He said cultural leaders and institutions must be safeguarded from political interference and intimidation.
NUP presidential candidate Robert Kyagulanyi (4th from right), Buganda Kingdom Katikkiro Charles Peter Mayiga (5th right) with some of the NUP members . (Photos by Ponsiano Nsimbi)
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National Unity Platform (NUP) presidential candidate Robert Kyagulanyi has pledged to protect and respect Uganda’s cultural institutions, calling them central to national identity and social cohesion.
Kyagulanyi pledged during a meeting with Buganda Kingdom Katikkiro Charles Peter Mayiga at Bulange, Mengo, in Kampala city on December 15, 2025, ahead of his campaign tour to Rubaga.
He said cultural leaders and institutions must be safeguarded from political interference and intimidation.
"This struggle is not for Buganda alone, but for the whole of Uganda,” Kyagulanyi said, emphasising that his political mission is rooted in national unity and inclusivity. A future NUP-led government, according to him, would respect cultural institutions and ensure they operate freely and independently.
Kingdom's aspirations
Mayiga said the kingdom’s engagement with politicians is guided by its own long-standing legal, political, social, economic and cultural aspirations, which predate the current political dispensation.
“These aspirations are not about the current political dispensation. They are intended to protect the integrity of this 900-year-old kingdom,” Mayiga said.
He noted that Buganda prefers to work with leaders who respect the kingdom’s heritage, support federalism, recognise land rights, and prioritise the welfare of the people.
NUP presidential candidate Robert Kyagulanyi with Buganda Kingdom Katikkiro Charles Peter Mayiga.
“A politician who respects our kingdom and our heritage... is the kind of leader we would like to do business with,” he stated.
Concerns over violence and youth leadership
During the meeting, Kyagulanyi also condemned alleged acts of violence and arrests targeting citizens, arguing that such practices threaten the freedoms of all Ugandans and undermine the rule of law.
He reported to the Katikiro that Ugandans have not abandoned the broader struggle for freedom and democratic governance.
Mayiga, for his part, urged the Government to ensure peaceful elections, warning that violence only deepens instability.
“I urge the Government to ensure peaceful elections without blitz, tear gas or canes. Violence breeds violence and can create a wave that engulfs everyone,” he said, stressing the need for strict adherence to the law.
The Katikkiro also encouraged young people, including NUP members, to actively participate in politics and vie for leadership.
However, he urged them to appreciate the complexities of leadership and build positive relationships with stakeholders.
Mayiga also cautioned against the misuse of social media to attack opponents.
“The Internet neither lies nor forgets. So, aspiring young leaders should be mindful of how they use it,” he warned.
Kyagulanyi concluded by calling on Ugandans to unite beyond regional and political lines, asserting that only unity and respect for cultural heritage can secure lasting peace and progress.