Bamasaaba in Diaspora push to meet Museveni for Public University in Bugisu Region

The Bamasaaba community in the diaspora is pushing for a meeting with President Yoweri Museveni to address the prolonged demand for a public university in the Bugisu region, which remains the only major region in Uganda without such an institution.

According to Steven Masiga, the spokesperson of the Bamasaaba Cultural Institution, the region continues to lag behind in access to government-sponsored higher education despite previous commitments by the government to establish a university in Bugisu.

“Of all the major regions of Uganda—Buganda, Busoga, Acholi, Ankole, Teso, Bunyoro, and Bukedi—it is only Bugisu that lacks a public university. As a community, our plea is that the Bamasaaba people also deserve a government university in the heart of Masaabaland. We appreciate the government’s efforts, but like Oliver Twist, we are asking for more,” Masiga stated.

The Bamasaaba diaspora, led by prominent academicians such as Associate Professor Florence Wakoko and Dr. Stephen Mungoma, Executive Secretary of the Mbale Public University, has expressed its readiness to meet President Museveni either in Kampala or through a virtual interaction to advance their cause.

Masiga emphasized that equitable access to educational services is a constitutional right, invoking Article 21 of the Ugandan Constitution, which prohibits discrimination based on ethnicity, economic status, or social background. “With this constitutional guarantee, I am confident the government is listening to us and will act,” he added.

During a previous engagement in Kapchorwa District, President Museveni reportedly assured Bugisu leaders of his commitment to ensuring the establishment of a public university in the region.

The proposed institution is expected to enhance access to affordable higher education for the Bamasaaba community, particularly the children and grandchildren of Front for National Salvation (FRONASA) fighters who contributed significantly to Uganda’s liberation struggle.

Currently, the Bugisu region is served only by the Islamic University in Uganda (IUIU), a private institution. Other institutions operate study centers, including Makerere University, Uganda Christian University (UCU), and Uganda Management Institute (UMI), which mainly offer short courses, diploma programs, and a limited selection of degree programs.

The call for a public university has gained momentum, with the Bamasaaba diaspora rallying support through various associations such as the North America and Canadian Association (NAMCA) and the United Kingdom Bamasaaba Association (IMKA). Other chapters exist in Australia, South Africa, the Arab world, and West Africa.

Prominent Bamasaaba scholars spearheading the initiative include: Associate Professor Florence Wakoko, Head of the Department of Sociology at Columbus State University, Dr. Stephen Mungoma, Executive Secretary of Mbale Public University, Professor Margaret Khaitsa, a professor at Mississippi State University, Dr. Josephine Walwema, an Associate Professor of Linguistics at the University of Washington, and Mr. Michael Materesi, President of the Bamasaaba Association in the United Kingdom.

The Bamasaaba diaspora has pledged to support various regional development initiatives, including the acquisition of a radio station and television network for the Bamasaaba Kingdom, and contributing to the construction of the Bamasaaba palace.

Umukuka III, His Highness Jude Mike Mudoma, has also been actively engaging with the diaspora community, meeting members in the UK, South Africa, and the United States. His outreach efforts are set to continue with planned visits to Bamasaaba communities in Australia, the Arab world, and West Africa.