Bugisu Sub-Region, (UG): The district local governments in Bugisu Sub-Region have pledged to raise an amount in excess of 300 million shillings in order to enable the Inzu Ya Masaba to manage its cultural programs and activities.
The local governments which mainly comprise of Mbale City, Bududa, Manafwa, Namisindwa, Bulambuli, Sironko and Mbale Districts including their constituent subcounties and municipal councils anonymously agreed to raise at least sh10m each towards the cause.
The Inzu Ya Masaaba (read as House of Masaaba) is a creation of local governments by virtue of the fact that without the blessings of the subcounties and Districts, it could not have been established since the present municipal statutes require that all Districts and subcounties should endorse any claimant to cultural leadership and in the formative days of the establishment of the institution in 2010 this requirement was critical which all subcounties and local governments compiled with.
While representing the Umgii of Inzu Ya Masaba recently during the Mbale District budget conference, the institution spokesperson Mr Steven Masiga, requested the District leadership to fullfill their pledge of funding the cultural institution before applauding them for allocating extra space in the form of accommodation and office space to the cultural leadership
The Inzu Ya Masaba as an institution of culture which unites all Bamasaaba was created around 2010 with the sole purpose of enhancing unity and execution of cultural-related tasks. Over the years the institution has had three successive leadership beginning with Umgii His Royal Highness Wilson Wamimbi in 2010 up to 2015.
Wamimbi was then followed by His Royal Highness Sir Bob Mushikor from 2015 to 2020 and His Royal Highness Jude Mike Mudoma from 2023 up to 2028
The LCV Chairperson for Bududa District, Mr Milton Kamoti Wasunguyi Bududa says that they have no problem in funding the cultural leadership and that once the cultural leadership makes a formal request they will accordingly instruct the community development department to work on the payments.
Wasunguyi’s view was strongly welcomed by Manafwa LCV chairman, Mr Hosea Kigai Kimono who also serves as chairman of all chairpersons in the bugisu region
Mr Masiga told DailyExpress that the total revenue expected from all these local governments may be over 300,0000million shs per annum since every district pledged 10m shillings per annum and every subcounty shs 1m per year with a target of over 200 subcounties, town councils and city councils from the seven districts.
He says the collected revenue from these local governments will help the cultural institution to meet anumber of commitments to the inhabitants of masaabaland ranging from provisions of bursaries to bright children, family planning and PDM tips, imbalu ceremonies and general development agendas.
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