'I do not force people to give' - Mayiga

May 22, 2014

In his defence of his continued fundraising drives, Katikiro Mayiga insists people contribute because they love their king.

By Jeff Andrew Lule         

KAMPALA - Buganda Kingdom premier (Katikiro) Peter Charles Mayiga has defended his continued fundraising drives, saying they still have many things to do in the kingdom.

“Some ask why I don’t stop fundraising, but we still have many things to do in the kingdom,” he said.

“It is the people to support the kingdom until it establishes its financial base. I will continue collecting money in different places as long as people invite me and are willing to give.”

In his recent comments, Mayiga questioned why people do not ask churches why they (churches) don’t stop collecting money from their followers.

“I also give offerings every Sunday. Even at burial ceremonies and other functions. They collect money and we never ask why, because we know they need it,” he said.

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Building the perimeter wall of Kasubi tombs

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Men busy at work erecting the wall fence at the Kasubi tombs

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Katikiro Mayiga toured the place last December to check on the progress of the structure

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The main house at Kasubi tombs under construction

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An internal view of the ridges of the tomb. Each ridge represents a clan of Buganda kindgom

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Workers busy at the tombs of Wamala along off Hoima road after Wakiso town

He explained that more money is needed to replace what was destroyed in the past and revive the glory of the largest kingdom in Uganda.

‘Everything is transparent’

The Katikiro went on further to say that he does not impose the need to give on the people, underlying that they give because “they love their Kabaka [king]”.

“I do not force them. The good thing is everything is transparent. Every coin we collect goes directly to the kingdom treasury and it is disbursed depending on the need and it has to be accounted for,” he said.

The former Buganda information minister said further they have already started the construction of Masengere house (Bulange Plaza) while the tombs are nearing completion.

The money, he said, is to work on other cultural sites to promote tourism in the kingdom.

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Mayiga says people contribute towards the Kasubi reconstruction because they love their Kabaka. PHOTO/Richard Sanya

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Members of the St. Ritah Members Club hand over 60 bags of cement to Katikiro Mayiga

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The Katikiro of Buganda Charles Peter Mayiga  recieves a cheque worth 100 million from the Speaker of Parliament Rebecca Kadaga in November last year. PHOTO/Abu Mwesigwa

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Councilor Angellah Kigonya (holding microphone) with other members of the DP party from Lubaga division present their contribution of 25 bags of cement at a function at Bulange, Mengo

They also intend to increase the Kabaka Education Fund to increase on the number of bursaries for the needy children especially orphans.

“We are also trying to go into partnerships with various companies to boost our financial base. We thank those who have been supporting us,” Mayiga, who was appointed Katikiro in May last year, added.

He refuted allegations that he had clashes with some MPs like the Mukono municipality MP, Betty Nambooze, saying they are incomparable.

“I think some of them want me to go to them which I cannot do. Those who want me should come to my office.

“I welcome everyone in Mengo once you leave your politics at the gate of Bulange because in Mengo we are not partisan,” he said.

FLASH BACK: Kasubi tombs on fire

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