Katikkiro Mayiga roots for cultural tourism

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The Katikkiro of Buganda, Charles Peter Mayiga, has called upon the Uganda Tourism Board (UTB) to prioritise promotion of cultural tourism, saying it is a unique attraction.

Mayiga said this during his visit to the Ugandan embassy in Berlin, Germany, on Friday (May 22), where he was welcomed by Amb. Steven Mubiru and his deputy Amb. Danny Ssozi.

"These days, we as a Kingdom are working with UTB through the Buganda Heritage and Tourism Board. They promote 7 attractions; the seventh being the Ugandan people, given their hospitality. But I urge them to add an eighth one, which is cultural tourism," said Mayiga.

The Buganda Premier noted that the clan system of Buganda makes many European tourists wonder how it was developed around the Kabaka.

Mayiga cited the many visitors and tourists he receives and talks with about the Ganda Royal family, which is not similar to those royal families in European monarchies.

"In Buganda, Kabaka marries from all clans. So, it surprises them. So, we ask UTB to promote cultural tourism because it's such an important aspect. The clan system in Buganda is one of the oldest social systems in the world, and many people would wish to learn about it," added Mayiga.

Katikkiro Mayiga is in Germany to attend the second Buganda Bumu European Convention, which is going to be held in Berlin's Gloria events Hall.

Katikkiro Mayiga, who travelled with the minister for local government in charge of Kabaka's travels and Diaspora affairs, Joseph Kawuki, told Amb. Mubiru that the Kingdom is prioritising promotion of investment, including areas like Real Estate.

"In the Kingdom, we welcome investors. For instance, we have our Chinese partners, the Gouji Group, with whom we're building Mirembe Villas in Kigo and Ssentema. So, if you have Ugandans here who are in need of modern houses, you can send them to us instead of sending money directly to Uganda, where they can encounter several challenges like being misappropriated," said Mayiga.

The Kingdom is also planning to build an industrial Park at Jjeza in Mpigi district, which will prioritise agricultural products, Mayiga revealed. 

"I urge Ugandans who are living here and in other European countries to invest in the stock exchange in Germany and Europe at large because it has a higher value than the Ugandan market," Mayiga told Ugandans in the Diaspora.

Amb. Mubiru thanked the Kingdom for taking care of Kabaka Mutebi II's health, which is now improving.

Kabaka Mutebi II, during his health challenges between 2021-2024, has been receiving specialised health care from Germany.

"Here at the embassy, our major emphasis is put on selling our country, Uganda, to Germany and its surrounding countries in areas of Commerce and trade, tourism and education," said Amb. Mubiru.

Germany is the second-largest European exporter of Ugandan coffee. Recently, the Ugandan embassy led German businessmen in coffee to Uganda farmers in Masaka and Ntungamo.

"We thank you for your mobilisation efforts of Ugandans, especially regarding development initiatives. The 'Emmwanyi Terimba' initiative cannot go unnoticed. Germany is the second buyer of Ugandan coffee in Europe. The coffee business is very paramount in Uganda's economic revamp. Our target now is to see it that Germany becomes number one," Amb. Mubiru told Katikkiro and his entourage.

In education, Amb. Mubiru said Germany gives Uganda sponsorships and around 120 Ugandan students are given scholarships every year.

"Germany has direct investment in Uganda through agencies like GIZ (German Technical Cooperation). There is a Germany Company called Gulf, which is considering building an inland port on Lake Victoria. Uganda has got a lot of water bodies, but the resource has not been fully utilised," observed Mubiru.

Amb. Mubiru noted that Germany has developed a modern health care system with high technology equipment and drugs. For Ugandan community to benefit, he said they should link with the ministry of health in Uganda to collaborate with their Germany counterparts. 

Amb. Mubiru, who hails from Kamuli district, has been in the diplomacy world since 2012. He started from Malaysia, Turkey and now Germany.