Oklahoma City, USA: The Umukuka III of the Bamasaaba, His Highness Jude Mike Mudoma, has called on Bamasaaba living in the diaspora to remain united and rooted in their cultural values, warning that “a community without culture is akin to a tree without roots.”
The cultural monarch was addressing members of the North American and Canadian Masaba Cultural Association (NAMCA), a unifying body for all Bamasaaba in the U.S. and Canada, during their annual gathering held in Oklahoma City on May 25 under the theme “Enhancing Unity, Culture, Education, and Business Networking.”
The Umukuka, officially received by Hon. Prof. Florence Wakoko, the designated Ambassador for American and Canadian affairs, on behalf of all Bamasaaba globally, thanked the diaspora community for the warm reception and for extending the invitation to him and his entourage.
He highlighted key achievements of his leadership over the past two years, including the renovation and construction of the cultural institution’s offices in Uganda at an estimated cost of UGX 100 million.
The Umukuka also introduced cultural innovations such as the institutionalization of key days for prayers and heritage, including Easter Monday, the Coronation Anniversary, and the October 8 Heritage Day, set aside to recognize Bamasaaba who have supported the cultural institution and education bursaries.
His Highness also warned the community about rising criminal behavior among some elders back home, noting that such actions could erode the moral fabric of society if left unchecked.
The Umukuka commended the Ugandan government, particularly Hon. Betty Amongi, the Minister of Gender, Labour and Social Development, for facilitating the correction of the institution’s legal identity from “Inzu Ya Masaaba” to the officially recognized “Bugisu Cultural Institution.”
He noted that this was done through a corrigenda published in March 2025, bringing the institution into compliance with national cultural laws.
The Institution Spokesperson, Mr Steven Masiga, who accompanied the Umukuka, emphasized that the corrigenda, a Latin term for formal corrections, applied to all cultural institutions countrywide and urged Bamasaaba to embrace legal reforms.
“We must be prepared to embrace changes, especially those done under the ambit of the law,” Masiga noted.
The Umukuka was also accompanied by his spouse, Her Royal Highness Annet Mudoma (Nabachelema), Hon. Charo, the Institution’s Minister for Religious Affairs, and other equerries.
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