KAMPALA – Buganda Kingdom has spoken out on the Mityana incident, vehemently slamming police and military forces over the violence mated on members of Mbogo clan who were attending a simple cultural event on weekend in Mityana district.
Speaking to a press conference held in Mengo on Sunday, Buganda Kingdom Prime Minister Charles Peter Mayiga said that it was not wise for security forces to disperse people who were respecting the Coronavirus containment rules and warned of possible future consequences.
The Military and Police on Saturday, October 17 raided and dispersed thanksgiving prayers by Mbogo Clan members in Singo who were commemorating the seven years of Jajja Kayiira Gajuule’s successful chairmanship of the clan heads the council of Buganda.
In the middle of the players, security raided the place, fired live bullets and teargas— ransacking the venue after reports that Presidential candidate Robert Kyagulanyi popularly known as Bobi Wine who is also a member of the clan was expected.
Police also dispersed and beat up dignitaries who were attending the mass led by retired Masaka Catholic Bishop John Baptist Kaggwa before stopping the prayers.
“Our Clan head and most elderly people who were in attendance were severely affected,” an eye witness said.
Bobi Wine and other clan members including former Makerere University Vice-Chancellor Prof. Dumba Ssentamu have been blocked from accessing the venue while scores of young people have been arrested.
According to Mayiga, police and the military forces stormed and dispersed people using tear gas. They claimed that the organizers were flouting COVID-19 regulations, something that the Kattikiro Mayiga refutes.
He says if the attack on the cultural event was politically motivated, then it is a sad situation because like religions, cultural institutions bring together Ugandans from all walks of life.
He said the government should ensure that this never happens again as it is an abuse of the rights of Ugandans to express themselves in their cultures.
The Baganda are in the majority in central Uganda and a loss of the group as a voter base could weaken President Museveni’s position in the country’s next election.
The traditional Baganda king holds a largely ceremonial position in Uganda but holds considerable influence among his people.
