The Umukuka of Inzu Ya Masaba (in traditional gear) with his ministers in Bulambuli during the imbalu closure
Bulambuli, (UG):- The Umukuka of Bamasaba cultural institution, His Royal Highness Jude Mike Mudoma III Thursday officially closed the Imbalu Circumcision cycle that began on August 3rd, 2024. The last sub-county to circumcise was Bunambutye Sub-County in Bulambuli District.
The function took place at Bulambuli District headquarters and was attended by local leaders, candidates, and parents of candidates.
According to the Inzuymasaba cultural calendar for Imbalu, the circumcision and celebration period was officially flagged off on August 3rd and was to run for one month until September 3rd. After that, it becomes illegal to circumcise until December.
The Umukuka thanked the Bamasaba for peacefully celebrating their culture and encouraged them to prepare for the December circle for another Imbalu period. He said the police should arrest anyone found organizing drums and circumcising candidates without permission from Inzuymasaba.
He further donated an assortment of items meant to help the candidates who were facing the knife today. The Umukuka further counselled the candidates to go back to school after Imbalu and complete the education cycle as well.
According to the Inzuymasaba calendar, Imbalu has been circulating among the various clans of Masabaland for the last one month. We estimate that over 1,000 candidates have been circumcised.
The spokesperson of the Bamasaba cultural institution, Mr Steven Masiga explained that the essence of officially putting a stop to circumcision is to allow families to focus on other things like education and farming.
He further emphasized that the security forces, including the police, should be allowed to concentrate on threats like terrorism analysis. He also urged that terrorists should not exploit the Imbalu cover to cause havoc.
“The police in the Elgon region should be left to focus on other core tasks instead of the constant enforcement they have provided throughout Imbalu from the time it began until now,” Mr Masiga told DailyExpress.
The Umukuka was Thursday accompanied by his team the Minister for Culture in Inzu Ya Masaba, Hon. Kutoi Moses, Treasurer Hon. Domiano Wamimbi, and Imbalu chair Wilson Watila, among others.
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