Katikkiro's visit to Kayunga questioned by Ssabanyala

Mr Kimeze (M) at the commission of the Shs2 billion building. Photo by Fred Muzaale

What you need to know:

Mr Kimeze says Mengo, the seat of Buganda Kingdom has not sought permission from them before the Mr Mayiga’s visit

Buganda Kingdom Information Minister, Mr Noah Kiyimba, said the Katikkiro’s visit to Kayunga is on schedule

KAYUNGA- A planned visit by the Katikkiro of Buganda, Mr Charles Peter Mayiga to Kayunga District next has been questioned by Maj. Baker Kimeze, the Banyala Cultural leader.

Mr Kimeze says Mengo, the seat of Buganda Kingdom has not sought permission from them before the Mr Mayiga’s visit.

The development is likely threaten the delicate relationship between Mengo and Banyala cultural association after the bloody 2009 Buganda that were triggered by the government’s decision to stop the then Katikkiro Eng. JB Walusimbi from going to Kayunga ahead of the Kabaka Mutebi’s visit.

At least 20 people died during the riots while property worth millions was destroyed.

Since 2009, Kabaka Mutebi has twice visited the area.

Kayunga is located in Bugerere County of Buganda Kingdom.

However, the Banyala, sub-tribe of Baganda claim that “they seceded from Buganda Kingdom to form an independent kingdom.”

Mr Mayiga, according to the Mengo chief in charge of Bugerere County, Mr James Ssempigga, is scheduled to visit the district next week to re-launch a coffee growing campaign in the once biggest coffee growing district in the country.

Mr Mayiga would later hold a meeting with the Bataka in Bugerere County at the contested Bbaale Sub-county headquarters, where the Banyala are constructing their headquarters and the Ssabanyala’s palace.

Speaking during the commissioning of a Shs2 billion administration block in Bbaale town, on Tuesday, the Mr Kimeze said he has information to the effect that the Katikkiro would visit the district adding that he is however, surprised that he had not been consulted by Mengo over the matter. 

“Under the Memorandum of Understanding that was signed between Mengo and the Central government, it was resolved that Mengo leaders are free to visit this area, but only if, they seek permission from us,” he said while what he called a photo copy of the Memorandum of Understanding.

 “Over my dead body, I am this time going to command this war myself if he forcefully insists on his visit here. He would only come if I am dead,” Mr Kimeze said.

He said he has been forced to speak about the current political issues in the country by some cultural institutions, like Mengo, which have openly expressed their opposition to the scrapping of the age limit from the Constitution saying such leaders are “selfish.”

“If the Constitution was not amended, kingdoms that had been abolished like Buganda wouldn’t have been restored. They [Mengo] are cutting the branch on which they are seated. To all of us, [cultural leaders], President Museveni is our father, so, we should support him,” he said.

Buganda Kingdom Information Minister, Mr Noah Kiyimba, said the Katikkiro’s visit to Kayunga is on schedule. 

He insisted that Mengo would not seek permission from Mr Kimeze.

 “We condemn such statement. Do the Banyala seek permission from Mengo to allow them come to Kampala where they spend most of their time?” Mr Kiyimba asked.