Katikkiro to politicians: Be calm

By Jeff Andrew Lule & Nicholas Oneal 
                               
The Katikkiro of Buganda, Peter Charles Mayiga, has called on politicians to be calm, as the country prepares for the 2016 general elections.

Mayiga said there is no need to fight each other because 2016 is not the end of Uganda.

"We see many fights in various parties. People are attacked, killed, kidnapped and houses burnt. I don't think this is right," he said.

Mayiga said this while addressing Buganda Lukiiko at Bulange Mengo in Kampala on Monday.

"Uganda is not ending in 2016. The country will continue even after 2016. Politics is not a business but a service to serve others. If you think people love you, then why do you have to buy voters or fight?" Mayiga added.

There have been reports of violence in different parts of the country ahead of the NRM primary elections today. 

Mayiga called on supporters and aspirants to be calm during the entire process to avoid disrupting peace. "Leaders must be exemplary in everything they do. The public should also resist violent leaders," he added.

Mayiga also condemned police brutality against the public, saying this might lead to more problems.

Citing a recent incident where a woman was stripped naked as police tried to arrest her, Katikiro said there is no need for police to use excessive force while arresting any person.

He said the act was cruel and degrading. "It was so irrational to undress a woman in public. This is not the first time women are undressed in public. Police needs to act professionally as they execute their work. Enforcing the law does not mean breaking it," he added.