Bulange, Uganda: Buganda Kingdom Premier Owek. Charles Peter Mayiga has cautioned political candidates across Uganda to abandon the culture of making grandiose, unrealistic promises and instead present practical ideas that can genuinely transform the lives of ordinary citizens.
Speaking at Bulange–Mengo on Friday during a courtesy visit by NRM Members of Parliament and flagbearers from the 26 districts of Buganda, Mayiga said voters are increasingly tired of hollow pledges that never materialize.
“These days I hear candidates promising voters factories, large sums of money, and jobs,” he said. “A politician should tell us the ideas he or she has, not promise things they cannot fulfil. It is good ideas that create the jobs that develop a nation.”
The Katikkiro emphasised that Uganda will only progress when leaders prioritise realistic, community-driven solutions rather than campaign theatrics. “Countries only get transformed when leaders initiate practical ideas, not when they promise heaven and earth,” he added.
He told the delegation, led by NRM Vice Chairperson for Buganda Hon. Haruna Kyeyune Kasolo and Caucus Chairperson Hon. Robert Migadde Ndugwa, that Buganda expects its representatives to rise above party lines and champion issues affecting the region’s people.
“I urge our representatives from Uganda, irrespective of the parties they embrace, to prioritize the kingdom’s people’s aspirations,” he said. “Our heritage under the Kabaka, resolving land conflicts, improving social and economic well-being, strengthening the rule of law, and ensuring an effective judiciary; these are the issues that matter.”
Mayiga said voters care more about what candidates say on agriculture, health, education, water, electricity, and public infrastructure than about exaggerated pledges that cannot be implemented. He urged leaders to propose workable solutions that directly improve livelihoods.
The NRM CEC representative for Buganda, Hon. Kasolo, told the Katikkiro that the NRM leadership in Buganda is committed to rebuilding a strong relationship with the kingdom, saying past political tensions had created the perception that Bulange was “opposition-leaning.”
“Our visit is about strengthening cooperation and reaffirming respect for Buganda, which plays a vital role in uniting communities,” Kasolo emphasized.
Hajji Muyanja Mbabaali, the NRM flagbearer for Bukoto South, said Buganda’s political influence at the national level has been limited because the region has only 35 NRM MPs out of 105 available seats. He argued that Buganda loses out on key development allocations due to low representation in the ruling party caucus.
“We miss out on the national cake because Buganda’s NRM voice in Parliament is small,” Mbabaali said. He also asked the Katikkiro to allow Buganda-region MPs to attend Lukiiko sessions during the next term so they can better understand the kingdom’s priorities and raise them in Parliament.
The NRM Buganda Caucus Chairperson, Hon. Migadde Ndugwa, reaffirmed the commitment of the MPs and flagbearers to prioritise Buganda’s issues once elected or re-elected, saying they intend to work closely with the kingdom on matters of development, public service delivery and cultural protection.
The team also bought Buganda Certificate worth Shs10m as a gesture of goodwill between the ruling party and the Buganda government.
The delegation included Kampala Minister Hajjat Minsa Kabanda, Hajjat Faridah Nambi (Kawempe South), Amina Lukanga Nanziri (Kampala Woman MP), Ssentayi Muhammad (Bukoto West), Philip Munduni (Makindye Ssabagabo), Hellen Nakeeya (Kalungu Woman MP), Minister Anifa Kawooya (Mawogola West), Cissy Namujju Donozio (Lwengo Woman MP), Hope Nakazibwe Grania (Mubende Woman), Isaac Mulindwa Ssozi (Lugazi Municipality), Anderson Burora (Nakawa West), and Fred Ruhindi (Nakawa East), among others.
Flagbearers for mayoral, city division, and councillor seats from Kampala also attended, signalling the ruling party’s attempt to consolidate ground in Buganda ahead of the 2026 elections.
If you would like your article/opinion to be published on Uganda’s most authoritative news platform, send your submission on: [email protected]. You can also follow DailyExpress on WhatsApp and on Twitter (X) for realtime updates.
