TAKEAWAYS

• Fame must become something tangible: Zari argues that popularity only matters when it is converted into lasting value.
• Leadership demands difficult decisions: Both Zari’s reflections and Mayiga’s leadership philosophy emphasise accountability over popularity.
• Two influential figures, different worlds: Mayiga and Zari have built powerful public identities in very different fields, but their views on leadership and sustainability appear remarkably similar.

Buganda Katikkiro Charles Peter Mayiga has come out to applaud socialite and entrepreneur Zari Hassan after coming across some of her reflections on fame, business and leadership.

Taking to his social media pages, Mayiga shared excerpts from an article in Weekend Monitor examining Zari’s public life and the lessons she has drawn from her journey as a celebrity, entrepreneur and public figure.

Among the observations attributed to Zari was the idea that “Fame is powerful, but it is also temporary if you do not convert it into something tangible.”

She also stressed the importance of professionalism and discipline, noting that “Popularity can open a door, but professionalism, consistency, and discipline are what keep you in the room.”

For Mayiga, the words struck a familiar chord.

The Katikkiro appeared particularly drawn to Zari’s reflections on leadership and the difficult decisions that sometimes come with running an organisation.

“Leadership can be lonely because the decision that protects the business is not always the one that makes everyone happy,” Zari is quoted as saying.

Sharing the thoughts with his followers, Mayiga suggested that Zari’s words resonated with his own philosophy of leadership.

In essence, the Katikkiro’s message was that the Boss Lady’s words could easily have come from him.

Two very different worlds, one philosophy

The connection between Mayiga and Zari is intriguing because the two have built their public identities in very different spaces.

Mayiga is one of Uganda’s most prominent cultural leaders, serving as the Katikkiro of Buganda, while Zari has built a highly visible personal brand across entertainment, fashion, business and social media.

Yet beneath those differences is a shared lesson: visibility alone is not enough.

For Zari, fame has been a platform that she has sought to turn into businesses, partnerships and a lasting personal brand.

For Mayiga, leadership has involved managing institutions, people and expectations while making decisions that he believes serve the long-term interests of Buganda.

Both journeys therefore place a premium on discipline, consistency, accountability and the ability to think beyond immediate popularity.