Katikkiro warns County chiefs on partisan politics

BUGANDA KINGDOM  TRADITION  CULTURE

KAMPALA - The Katikkiro of Buganda Charles Peter Mayiga has advised the newly appointed County (Masaza) chiefs not to engage in active politics for purposes of peace and harmony in the kingdom.

Mayiga also cautioned the leaders against creating a foundation that grooms politicians in their counties, saying it breeds hatred

"This is a time of hot politics, and people are fully engaged to the extent of fighting each other. Your purpose should be uniting people of Buganda not to create divisions," Mayiga warned.

The Buganda premier noted that cultural institutions should leave political issues to politicians.

"Our target should be to bring together all members from different political parties for the good of our kingdom and country," he told the chiefs.

Katikkiro sounded the warning during an orientation workshop for the newly appointed chiefs at Bulange Mengo on Thursday.

The Katikiro of Buganda Charles Peter Mayiga (right) shaking hands with Butambala Deputy Saza chief Musa Lubega at Bulange Mengo on Thursday 7th November 2019.photo by Ivan Kabuye.

He also congratulated the leaders upon their success. "In the past years, a lot has been achieved owing to the service of the outgoing chiefs. The Kabaka is gratified to have worked with them," he added.

Mayiga noted that the new team is mandated to ensure all kingdom headquarters are well maintained and upgraded. 

"You should strive to achieve the five strategic pillars of the Kingdom; a strong monarchy and self-sustaining kingdom with its people enjoying both quantitative and qualitative improvement in their livelihoods," Mayiga said.

He said that the new administrators will work closely with the cabinet to mobilise the Kabaka's subjects and coordinate activities of different kingdom servants within the counties.

"Among other tasks is implementing the Kabaka's development projects as well as mobilizing people to attend Kabaka's functions. These include the fight against HIV/Aids, scaling up of coffee growing, provision of safe water sources, among others," he explained.

The kingdom attorney general and the minister for local governments Christopher Bwanika called on the leaders to unite and fight Buganda's key challenges, especially those affecting the common people.

He said several challenges, including the poor education system, poor healthcare, poverty, and poor social utilities, have remained unaddressed, creating a need for collective effort.

"As the kingdom, we have struggled to change this but the journey is still long. What encourages us is the fact that at least leaders at different levels have started working together, uniting and talking with one voice," he said.

Kabaka makes changes

Kabaka Ronald Muwenda Mutebi last week made major changes in his leadership appointing and redeploying a few county chiefs and their deputies.

In the new changes, all the 18 counties that make Buganda received three leaders except Buddu, Ssingo, and Kkooki who got four people appointed in leadership.

The new county chiefs include Agnes Nakibirige (Kyaddondo), David Nantagya (Ssingo), Elijah Bogere (Kyaggwe), Gabriel Kabonge (Mawokota), Jackson Musisi (Ggomba), Jude Mulele (Buddu), James Ssempigga (Bugerere), Ronald Mulondo (Bulemeezi), Gerald Kyanjo (Buluuli) and Charles Kiberu (Busiro).

Others are Mark Jjingo (Busujju), Hajji Sulaiman Magala (Butambala), Lawrence Kayiza (Buvuma), Immacurate Nantaayi (Buweekula), David Luyimbaazi (Kabula), Apollo Ssansa (Kkooki), Muhammed Sserwadda (Mawogola) and Augustine Kasirye (Ssese).