Mbale City, (UG):- The elders of Masabaland are urging the government to support their SACCO while also committing to mobilizing the Bamasaba community to benefit from various government programs. They emphasize the need for active involvement of cultural leaders, starting at the clan level and extending to the national level, to create awareness about these programs.
The absence of cultural leaders in mobilization efforts, they warn, could undermine Article 21 of the Constitution, which advocates for equality in all areas of influence.
Many elders interviewed by DailyExpress believe that they possess the ability to mobilize communities more effectively than other entities and that the government should utilize them to encourage widespread participation in its programs. These include healthcare initiatives, EMYOOGA, the Parish Development Model (PDM), and education.
Hon. Irene Khainza, a respected elder and former RDC of Manafwa, stated: “As Bamasaba, it is our duty to mobilize our people to embrace these beneficial government programs designed to lift them out of poverty.”
A recent example highlights the challenges of excluding cultural leaders from mobilization efforts. The government allocated UGX 17 million to Bududa landslide victims to help them construct houses in Bulambuli. However, reports indicate that none of the beneficiaries used the funds as intended, with some even failing to build basic toilets. The misuse of funds is attributed to a lack of proper guidance, which cultural institutions could have provided if involved.
In response, the 26 clan chairpersons are seeking a meeting with the President to advocate for greater collaboration between the government and cultural institutions. “We were once youths, and though we may no longer be in age, we can still connect with young people by sharing our experiences,” remarked the Clan Chairperson of Bugobero.
The Bamasaba cultural institution, Inzu Ya Masaba, oversees more than 2,000 clans under the leadership of the Umukuka III. The cultural leader plans to engage these clans to ensure the effective mobilization of Masabaland for programs such as EMYOOGA, PDM, and others.
The institution’s spokesperson, Mr. Steven Masiga, also highlighted the elders’ call for government funding to support their SACCO, which they believe is crucial for enhancing community development and participation in these initiatives.
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