Buganda Kingdom’s Prime Minister, Owek. Charles Peter Mayiga, has strongly dismissed ongoing rumours that he has used his office to accumulate personal wealth and engage in secret business dealings, including with the Nnabagereka (Queen of Buganda).
Speaking to the media this week, an evidently frustrated Mayiga voiced his disappointment over what he called longstanding and unfounded allegations that have followed him since he assumed the Katikkiro role in 2013.
“From the beginning, these rumours have been deliberately spread by individuals who wish to undermine me,” Mayiga said, noting that many of the stories have gained traction through media amplification and social speculation.
One of the more bizarre rumours, Mayiga revealed, surfaced last year when claims emerged suggesting he had partnered with the Nnabagereka to establish a private school.
The rumour, he explained, likely arose after the Nnabagereka’s youth mentorship programme, Ekisaakate, was hosted at Muzza High School in Kabembe, Mukono. This coincidental venue choice, he said, was misconstrued by critics and gossips to imply a business venture.
In an interview, Mayiga recounted a particularly upsetting moment when a well-educated friend phoned him to ask whether he had indeed started a school with the Queen. His response was blunt:
“I told her to use her head,” he said, expressing anger over how even intelligent individuals fall prey to baseless gossip.
Mayiga maintained that his service to Buganda is grounded in integrity and transparency, and cautioned the public against consuming and spreading malicious fabrications.
“I have never used my office for personal gain, and I challenge anyone with proof to come forward,” he asserted.
The Katikkiro’s comments come amid broader concerns over misinformation and politically motivated attacks against leaders in cultural and public institutions.
As one of the most visible and respected figures in Buganda Kingdom’s leadership, Mayiga’s firm stance appears to be a call for greater responsibility in public discourse—especially in the era of viral rumours and social media speculation.
