Katikkiro Breaks Silence On Bobi’s Harmful Demands During Kabaka’s Sickness

Katikkiro (Prime Minister) Charles Peter Mayiga of Buganda Kingdom has finally broken his silence on last year’s controversy surrounding the Kabaka’s absence and the inciting demands made by National Unity Platform (NUP) leader Robert Kyagulanyi, alias Bobi Wine, regarding the monarch’s whereabouts.

Speaking to Sanyuka TV in an exclusive interview at Bulange-Mengo on April 29, 2025, the Katikkiro expressed surprise at Bobi Wine’s actions, questioning why he did not reach out to him directly to inquire about the King’s status before he resorted to harmful and reckless public demands.

“I was also very surprised that he [Bobi Wine] could do such a thing! He has my phone number. Why didn’t he call me and inquire about Kabaka’s whereabouts?” the Katikkiro said. “I have told you that he has had my phone number since time immemorial to this date. Why didn’t he call me and ask my in-law, where is Kabaka?”

The Katikkiro further emphasized that he had addressed the issue of Kabaka’s absence multiple times, informing the subjects that the Kabaka was receiving medical treatment abroad.

“I had addressed this issue not twice, not thrice, but several times that the Kabaka was not in the country because he was receiving medical treatment. How special did he [Bobi Wine] want to know Kabaka’s whereabouts?” Katikkiro questioned.

During the Kabaka’s sickness in 2024, Bobi frequently told press conferences that he and others within Buganda needed to be informed about Kabaka’s whereabouts, claiming that he had been poisoned and kidnapped by the sitting government, thus encouraging his supporters to heighten their demands for their Kabaka.

Influential NUP supporters, including Mukono Municipality’s veteran MP Betty Nambooze, backed Bobi Wine’s demands. Given her advanced age and the enormous benefits from the Buganda Kingdom as an institution, and the Kabaka himself, many expected her to act more maturely and responsibly regarding Kabaka’s delicate health issue.

A segment of NUP supporters, incited by Bobi Wine’s demands, staged massive protests in foreign lands, including Namibia, where the Kabaka was recuperating, prompting him to return home prematurely before fully recovering.

The Kingdom had dispelled rumors that the King had been “poisoned and kidnapped” and emphasized the need to respect his privacy.

Despite the Kabaka’s televised speech, speculations and wild theories about his whereabouts continued to spread, further complicating diplomatic relations between Namibia and Uganda, all because politicians back home wanted to exploit the Kabaka’s absence and health situation for political gain.