On Thursday afternoon, Buganda Kingdom Prime Minister (katikkiro) Charles Peter Mayiga launched a veiled critique aimed at apparent detractors, asserting that they are “intent on destroying” Uganda’s largest monarchy.
“There are enemies of Buganda, and some include those you see sponsored to endlessly attack Buganda on social media,” Mayiga stated on Monday.
According to Mayiga, the majority of Buganda’s adversaries reside within metropolitan Kampala but are financed by known elements in the diaspora, whom he chose not to name at this time. “They pretend to be speaking out of excessive love for Buganda, but they are liars with their own intentions of disrupting the kingdom,” he told journalists in Mengo, echoing Kabaka Mutebi II’s remarks from his 30th coronation anniversary address on July 31, 2023.
His comments followed the recent return of 69-year-old Kabaka Mutebi to Uganda after a visa extension denial in Namibia, an incident that strained Kampala-Windhoek relations.
“We have another category of people who are working day and night to weaken or even end the monarchy. They even took their games to Namibia,” remarked Mayiga, who has been Buganda’s katikkiro since May 13, 2013, during a Monday press conference in Kampala.
While Mayiga did not name specific individuals, he seemed to target Buganda clan chiefs who were preventively arrested in Namibia during an independent visit to Kabaka Ronald Mutebi II, against the kingdom’s creed.
“These people have been going around Namibian missions worldwide, staging scenes that embarrass Buganda while disguising and demanding to see the kabaka,” the katikkiro stated.
Mayiga emphasized that Buganda would not stand idly by as the kingdom faces further disdain. “We are not seated, and we shall not just look on as our king is disrespected. We want Buganda to denounce all these people who have been sent,” he stressed.
He also issued an apology on behalf of Buganda: “I apologize to Namibia for the misconduct of these inhumane individuals who worried Namibian authorities while the Kabaka was recuperating in their country.”
Kabaka Mutebi is set to mark 31 years since his coronation on July 31, 2024, but it is uncertain if he will publicly attend the commemoration.
“Since the Kabaka is still under medication, we request Kabaka’s subjects to remain patient and continue praying for him in the meantime,” Prince Crispin Jjunju Kiweewa told journalists after the returning monarch arrived at Uganda’s Entebbe Airport overnight Sunday.
