The Katikkiro of Buganda, Charles Peter Mayiga, has dismissed allegations that he is taking sides in the feud between National Unity Platform (NUP) leader Robert Kyagulanyi alias Bobi Wine, and former Leader of Opposition in Parliament (LOP), Mathias Mpuuga.
Mayiga’s remarks come amid growing tension between Kyagulanyi and Mpuuga, stemming from corruption allegations in parliament and internal conflicts within the NUP.
The feud became a hot topic on social media, with Kyagulanyi’s supporters clashing with those backing Mpuuga.
Kyagulanyi’s recent decision to suspend Mpuuga from his role as Deputy President for Buganda has added to the tension, sparking speculation that Mayiga might be favoring Mpuuga due to their long history and Mpuuga’s prior service in the Buganda Kingdom's cabinet.
Addressing the claims, Mayiga firmly denied taking sides, emphasizing that both Kyagulanyi and Mpuuga are long-time friends.
"I know everyone is eager to know where I belong, because truth be told, the Katikkiro is a big person, but I don’t side with anyone,” Mayiga said during an appearance on Sanyuka TV.
Mayiga acknowledged his longstanding friendship with Mpuuga, which he suggested may have fueled perceptions of bias.
"Mpuuga and I are long-time friends; I even buried his father. When he entered elective politics in 2011, I advised him not to run against John Kawanga, but he didn't listen. We’ve come a long way together," he explained.
However, he was quick to clarify his relationship with Kyagulanyi, noting that they had known each other long before Kyagulanyi entered politics.
"I have known Bobi Wine since before he entered politics. Back then, I was a youth minister, and he resonated with the youth. When he forgot to invite me to his wedding, I jokingly blamed him, and he apologized as a friend. They are both my people,” Mayiga added.
Mayiga also addressed concerns surrounding a service award given to four parliamentary commissioners, including Mpuuga, which had stirred controversy.
He dismissed the issue, noting that the award was approved by Parliament and argued that the real focus should be on Uganda’s large number of MPs.
"Any patriotic Ugandan should be concerned about the large number of MPs 529 members of Parliament. That’s where the money really goes,” he stated.
Mayiga also clarified his stance on the claims that NUP leaders were banned from appearing on Buganda Kingdom media platforms.
He stated that programming decisions are made independently by the management of these outlets.
“I’m not the one who determines who appears on TV; that’s the management’s role. In Buganda, all agencies operate independently. My advice is only to prioritize issues concerning the Kabaka and the Kingdom,” he said.
He added that NUP is not the first political party to raise such concerns, noting that both the Democratic Party (DP) and the National Resistance Movement (NRM) have made similar accusations in the past.
On December 22, 2023, Kyagulanyi made a bold move by replacing Mpuuga as Leader of the Opposition in Parliament, marking a significant escalation in the feud.
This decision, paired with Mpuuga’s opposition to NUP’s ‘Kkunga’ mobilization campaign, led by Kyagulanyi’s brother Fred Nyanzi Ssentamu, has further exposed deepening divisions within the party.
Mpuuga criticised the campaign, questioning its motives and why it seemed to target NUP members specifically, reflecting underlying tensions and the complexities of the party’s internal dynamics.
