INTERVIEW: Mayiga on land, talks and more . . .

SATURDAY VISION

Charles Peter Mayiga, the newly-appointed Katikkiro of Buganda, is a simple man when no one has confronted the Kabaka. But he will spit fire if any attempt is made to undermine the King of Buganda. Mayiga swears that he will stop at nothing to protect the Kabaka. John Semakula interviewed him.

How did you feel when you were appointed the Katikkiro?

I had mixed feelings. At first, I felt happy because the Kabaka had put trust in me. But I was also anxious. I knew the pressure that comes with the appointment. I have been involved in the Kingdom’s activities for over two decades and I know the challenges of the Katikkiro. There is a lot of pressure on the office.

Now that you are the Katikkiro, will you abandon your profession?

I am a partner in a law firm and work is still going on well there. Practicing law requires a lot of time and commitment, which I do not have now. But my partners are active and our clients should continue going to the firm to be served.

Some people fear that you are a radical who may worsen the relationship between Buganda and the Central Government?

That’s not true. I respect everyone in the Central Government, including the President and MPs. I believe in being civil, but I also have some beliefs. Buganda has values and it is my role to propagate them on behalf of the Kabaka. I am firm when propagating those values and when it comes to protecting the integrity of the Kabaka, I am uncompromising. But if there is mutual respect between Buganda and the Government, there should not be any problem.

Is Buganda still interested in talks with the Government?

We are interested in the talks because whatever Buganda is to get will come through dialogue. I have told the Lukiiko that we are not obliged to accept the proposals of the Central Government during the talks if they are not good. But talking and listening to each other is healthy.

But why have the talks failed?

The main reason is that the Central Government does not want to address Buganda’s major demands, like federalism. Buganda indicated in the Odoki report that we want federalism. Instead, the Central Government is giving us regional tier. We, therefore, disagree on such fundamental issues.

Do you think federalism is still feasible in this modern era?

Those decampaigning federalism want to hoodwink the public to think the system is bad. The kind of federalism we are talking about has worked miracles for Malaysia. In Malaysia, some areas are governed under a federal system of governance and others are not. But the country is growing at a terrific speed. The people against federalism are those who don’t want to share power.

What are Buganda’s other demands from the Government?

After the 1966 crisis, the Central Government confiscated a number of the Kingdom’s properties. We had a seat in companies like Uganda Electricity Board and Nyanza Textile Industries Limited, which were confiscated. Mutesa House in London was also confiscated.

The Kingdom had cash in different banks that was grabbed. Sub-county and county headquarters were also confiscated. All those things rightly belong to the Kingdom and we don’t know why they can’t be returned.

Do you have hope that Buganda’s demands will be granted?

There is no rush in demanding for Buganda’s property. Buganda will live long after all of us are dead and remember, there is no expiry date for the Kingdom to demand for its properties.

What do you have to say about the growing dissent within the Kingdom?

There is a deliberate effort by some people to undermine the Kabaka. These people are creating fake traditional institutions and leaders within the Kingdom. That is what caused the violence in 2009 when the Kabaka was stopped from going to Kayunga. I don’t want to go into details about who these people are and their plans.

Will the Kabaka get a chance to return to Kayunga and Nakasongola in the near future?

Buganda is not a commodity that is going to expire. The Kabaka will go to Kayunga and Nakasongola at the right time. There is no need to rush. The Banyala of Bugerere are Baganda, like the Baruli of Nakasongola. Buganda has had a Katikkiro, Nsibirwa who was a Muruli. That is proof that the Baruli are Baganda. And in Bugerere, there are about 6,000 Banyala, compared to the indigenous 90,000 Baganda.

What can be done to resurrect Buganda’s lost glory?

Hard work. Every able-bodied Muganda should engage in productive work. Every person in the Kingdom should work and earn sh3,000 daily. Poverty is a threat to the Kingdom. It is the reason why after singing the Buganda anthem at functions, some youth dive into saucepans of rice. You can’t exalt Buganda by doing such things.

What is the main cause of land wrangles in the Kingdom?

The major cause is poverty. People sit on land and are not involved in any serious productive work. If they were earning at least sh3,000 a day from farming, they would not be hoodwinked into selling their land. Most of the land wrangles come after land is sold.

The other major cause is the populist land laws. The land laws destroy the relationship between landlords and tenants, which brews conflict.

What can be done to end the land wrangles?

Provide markets for agricultural produce to improve household incomes and amend land laws to ensure there is harmony between land owners and tenants.

Can minister Aidah Nantaba’s land committee solve the wrangles?

The committee cannot achieve anything tangible because it was not legally constituted. Nantaba as a Minister, is also not a policy implementer and not a judge. The task, is therefore overwhelming. She can’t be all over the country solving wrangles.

What plans do you have for the Kingdom?

I mainly have four things. The first is ensuring that the integrity of the Kabaka is jealously protected. The second is completion of the construction of Kasubi and Wamala tombs. I also intend to reorganise the administration of the Kingdom to ensure accountability and transparency.

This would involve being innovative and committed to our work. Lastly, I want to ensure the half-built structure next to Bulange is completed. Its construction has stagnated for over 30 years.

How would you want to be remembered?

I hope people will say I tried to unite Buganda. I also hope they will say I brought about development in the Kingdom. I plan to inspire Baganda to be productive and get rid of poverty from their households.

You have been heard commending former Vice-president Gilbert Bukenya who wants to vie for the Presidency in 2016?

Who am I to deny Bukenya a chance to become President if Ugandans want him? But I am not into Bukenya’s politics. I am in for what he has done for Buganda and the country. He started cottage industries in Wakiso and is employing over 4,000 youth. He has set a very good example for other leaders and I challenge other MPs to emulate him.

Bukenya is also a Muganda of the Engabi clan. He has been around for the Kabaka in good and bad times. Before Bukenya was dropped from Cabinet, he visited the Kabaka a number of times. He attended the tourism exhibition, together with the Kabaka.

When Bukenya organised weddings for his children, he invited us and when he was in prison, I visited him on behalf of the Kingdom. He has been with us in happy and sad moments.