Katikiiro Mayiga condemns teargassing Mbogo clan meeting

Katikiiro Charles Peter Mayiga has condemned the security raid on a Mbogo clan meeting in Mityana district, saying that such actions undermine culture.

Police on Saturday fired teargas to disperse Buganda Kingdom's Mbogo Clan members who had convened at the clan's ancestral ground, located at Mugulu in Ziggoti Town Council in a thanksgiving service for their clan head, Gajuule Kasibante.

The mass was led by retired Masaka Diocese Bishop, John Baptist Kaggwa but mid way through the proceedings, police surrounded the place and asked the masses to leave the premises because their gathering was illegal.

Several members of the Mbogo clan, including Mityana Municipality Member of Parliament Francis Zaake and Mityana Municipality Woman Member of Parliament candidate Joyce Bagala were denied entry and police fired teargas to disperse them when they refused to leave the venue.

Presidential hopeful Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu alias Bobi Wine is also a member of the Mbogo clan and he was denied entry to the clan meeting.

In a statement, Katikiiro Mayiga said that Buganda Kingdom is worried about such acts of impunity against culture.

"Members of the Mbogo clan are so many. They have different political aspirations and they belong to different religions but they are all members of the Mbongo Clan. We condemn acts of refusing people to gather and share with their clan leaders," Kattikiro Mayiga said.

The Katikiiro urged police and the army to handle matters of culture with utmost respect and caution.

Wamala regional police spokesperson Rachael Kawala told journalists that the security raid was intended to prevent a big gathering as advised by the Ministry of Health guidelines to prevent the spread of the Coronavirus.

Katikiiro Mayiga however noted that the meeting was attended by a few people all adhering to the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).