Today Morning at Butikkiro was strange. No soldiers pushing people. No teargas. No convoy blocking road. Only tents. Chairs. People.
Former VP Sekandi was there. LOP Joel Ssenyonyi was there. Mpuuga was there. Ministers from Mengo were there. Opposition, NRM, all drinking tea same place.
Why?
Oweek. Charles Peter Mayiga. 13 years as Katikkiro.
In Uganda where men want to die in office, this one is counting years of work. In Uganda where leaders say “no money” and sleep, this one built TV, finished tombs, ran marathons, with coins from farmers.
That is why we must talk.
The Day He Knelt and Never Stood Up Again
He said it himself. Today makes 13 years since the King made me kneel before him.
That day he became servant. Not boss.
For 13 years he has been walking with people. He said I have worked with many people, and there are things we achieved because we worked together as Buganda. He thanked people for ideas, for wisdom, for advice. He called all that fuel in the journey of taking Buganda back to the top.
When last did minister thank you? They say “we did”. Mayiga says “we did together”.
He was honest too. Yes, some things are not yet achieved like Federo and others, we must not lose hope. Most leaders say “we are perfect”. This one says “we failed Federo, but we keep moving”.
That is man enough.
He told Buganda keep moving together as we raise the standard in what we do, pray for each other. He asked God help me with this responsibility the King entrusted me with so I can carry it right.
You see? He knows power is not his. Kabaka gave. People are watching. God is watching. So he works.
The 13 Things He Did Without Crying “No Budget”
He gave report card. 13 points for 13 years. He laughed, I stop at 13 since years are also 13. But, each point beats government project.
First, he changed minds. He told Baganda there are things we can do for ourselves. Ettoffaali brought 10 billion, but he said money was not aim. Aim was mindset change. When did ministry ever change your thinking without workshop allowances?
Second, he fixed systems. Work in Bulange now has order. Files move. Money has receipts. That is why Airtel, Centenary Bank trust Mengo. Your sub-county has papers eaten by rats.
Third, he finished Kasubi Tombs. UNESCO was shouting. Fire burned heritage. Mayiga mobilized and finished it. No Chinese loan. No World Bank. Baganda built.
Fourth, he built Masengere. It brings rent. Money working for Buganda. How many government buildings are empty?
Fifth, he started BBS Terefayina. Our own TV. UBC eats billions and shows nothing. BBS eats Luwalo and beats them in ratings.
Sixth, he pulled serious partners. People are building houses in Kigo, Ssentema. Big companies support because they see sense. When did investor come to your district willingly?
Seventh, he put health first. The Kabaka became the star in fighting HIV. When did you last see big man lead HIV walk? They only cut ribbons.
Eighth, he woke Buganda up. Kabaka Birthday Run is now biggest in Africa. Masaza Cup is most watched in East Africa. No government money. Just pride. Ssebo, that is soft power. No gun, but stadiums full.
Ninth, he lifted artists. Singers. Dancers. Writers. In Uganda talent dies in ghetto. In Buganda, Mayiga gives stage.
Tenth, he pushed education. Kabaka Education Fund gave fees to tens of thousands. Nursery, primary, secondary, university — Buganda schools are there. Government says “UPE” but child brings broom to school.
Eleven, Luwalo. Last year Baganda gave nearly 2 billion. Voluntarily. URA uses roadblocks. Mayiga uses radio. People line up to give. Who is clever?
Twelve, he fought poverty with coffee. Emmwanyi Terimba. Coffee does not lie. He told people plant. Join PEWOSA. Join SACCO. Now farmer in Ssingo has money for fees. While Kampala youth are shouting “tulumbe” on Twitter.
Thirteen, he put Buganda on map. The Kabaka is now one of the most famous traditional leaders in Africa. Clans are active. Luganda is even on Google. Your language is where, ssebo?
He said all these have been fuel in the journey of taking Buganda back to the top.
The Truth That Hurts Uganda
You can hate Buganda. Fine. But answer this.
Which RDC built TV station with no tax? Which Minister made running culture? Which PS made language enter Google? Which LC5 made people give 2 billion happy?
Mayiga proved you don’t need State House to change lives. You don’t need army to be respected. You need plan. You need people. You need shame.
He told us Buganda is a great nation and all we do adds on what those before us did. In Kampala, new minister burns old plans. In Mengo, they continue. That is why Kasubi stands again.
Federo: The Wound He Won’t Hide
He did not pretend. He said Federo we have not got yet.
13 years asking. 13 years waiting. Central government quiet.
But hear his way: Many things we shall achieve as long as we keep moving together. He is not calling youth to burn tires. He is calling for patience with work.
You can demand Federo 13 years without war. That is lesson for FDC. That is lesson for NRM.
Buganda wants to manage its schools, hospitals, taxes. Not to break Uganda. To help Uganda. If Mengo runs BBS better than UBC, maybe it can run Mulago better too. If it collects Luwalo better than URA, maybe it can collect local tax better.
The Servant, Not The Chief
He called Kabaka Owner of the soil. He knows he is worker.
He did not say “vote me”. He said “pray for me”. He did not say “I built”. He said “we built”. He did not say “I am powerful”. He said “support and prayers sustain us”.
That is servant leadership, ssebo. You work when they insult you. You build when government ignores you. You thank when you are tired.
In 13 years, Buganda got TV, tombs, marathons, coffee money, mindset. What did your district get in 13 years?
Last Word for Uganda
Uganda has disease. We think leader must have guns. We think money must come from donors. We think shouting is strength.
Mayiga showed another way. Talk less. Build more. Plant coffee. Count coins. Thank people. Repeat.
If Ankole had Mayiga, maybe hospitals would have gloves. If Teso had Mayiga, maybe schools would have desks. If every region had Mayiga, maybe youth would have SACCO, not betting app.
13 years done. Federo still coming. But Buganda is not sleeping.
And when Buganda is awake, Uganda must think.
Because Buganda is a great nation. And great nations don’t wait. They build.
13 years, no army. 13 points, no lies.
That is power.
