The National Unity Platform presidential candidate, Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, has today paid a courtesy call to the Katikkiro of Buganda Charles Peter Mayiga.
Kyagulanyi’s visit comes ahead of his scheduled campaign today in Lubaga Divison in Kampala. Speaking at Bulange Mengo, the seat of Buganda Kingdom, Kyagulanyi said as a party they have profound respect and belief in culture which in Buganda is exemplified by Kabaka.
“We send our good wishes to the Kabaka and we want to tell him that we love our cultures,” Kyagulanyi said. “There are politicians who want to ensure that we don’t speak to each other as people who come from Buganda. Sometime they use our own people to sow discord. As the leader of NUP, I want to send the message to the Kabaka that we love him and we are willing to continue protecting the dignity of our people.”
He thanked the Katikkiro for always speaking out on human rights violation sometimes at the expense of his personal security.
“We thank you again for speaking out on the violence meted out against our people although we know you do it amidst challenges,” Kyagulanyi added. “We have tried to do our job of leading our people, we have tried to unite our people here in Buganda and Uganda. I’m happy to tell you that we have started on this journey and everywhere we have gone we have been welcomed very well.” said.
For his part, the Katikkiro Charles Peter Mayiga thanked Kyagulanyi for always being loyal to Buganda. He said as Buganda they welcome everybody regardless of their political affiliation.
“For a long time, Bulange has been like Lubaga Cathedral or Namirembe Cathedral of Kibuli Mosque, everybody goes there regardless of tribe or political affiliation,” Mayiga said. “Buganda is the foundation on which Uganda is built. We welcome everybody who respects our culture and Kabaka.”
He added that as a kingdom, they have five aspirations namely: Respect the Kabaka and his officials, a federal system of government, protecting land and Buganda’s boundaries, working very hard to get people out of poverty and unity among the people of Buganda.
“Those are our core values, that I ask you to fight for,” Mayiga emphasized. “Any politician who will respect them will be the one to win the hearts and minds of Buganda.”
He also warned NUP supporters against misusing social media. He said though people have a right to speak out on what they disagree with, they must do it respectfully.
“You have to be mindful of what you say on social media,” the Katikkiro cautioned. “If someone does something you don’t like, don’t abuse them, you can disagree with someone without abusing their family. We need to show these youth how to be responsible because we have a hope in them.”
Mayiga also called upon the government to reign in its security forces so that Uganda holds a violent free election.
In recent weeks, violence has characterized Kyagulanyi’s campaigns aspolice and other security organizations routinely beatand teargassing his supporters.
***URN***