Mbale, Uganda: The Umukuka III of the Bamasaaba, His Highness Jude Mike Mudoma, has commended the administration of Mbale High School for becoming the first secondary school in Bugisu sub-region to officially introduce and promote the Lumasaba language curriculum.
Delivering the cultural leader’s message to the school on Monday, July 07, Mr. Steven Masiga, the spokesperson of the Bamasaaba cultural institution, praised the school’s foresight in preserving the indigenous language through formal education.
He urged other schools in Masaabaland to emulate the example set by Mbale High.
Mr. Masiga was warmly received by the school headmaster, Mr. Wambalo Stephen, who led a colorful session that began with the singing of four anthems: East African, Ugandan, Lumasaba, and the Mbale High School anthem.
The students’ leadership formally welcomed the visiting delegation before the headmaster invited the Umukuka’s representative to address the learners.
In his message, the Umukuka emphasized the importance of education among the Bamasaaba youth, urging learners to complete their academic journey from primary through university. He also reminded students about the traditional Imbalu circumcision calendar, which takes place every even year in December, such as in 2026 and 2028, assuring students that cultural obligations have been harmonized with school calendars.
“We don’t want learners dropping out due to fear of Imbalu. We have a structured calendar that accommodates both education and culture,” said Mr. Masiga.
The spokesperson also encouraged learners to explore government-sponsored education loan schemes under the Higher Education Students Financing Board (HESFB), especially for those excelling in sciences or enrolling in tourism-related degree programs.
Mr. Masiga further revealed that the Bukuka Education Fund, recently launched in the United States, will see each Umumasaba in the diaspora contribute USD 120 annually to support educational initiatives back home in Masaabaland.
Addressing the learners on discipline and moral conduct, the Umukuka’s message strongly warned against vices such as drug abuse, criminal behavior, robbery, and formation of school gangs, describing them as both illegal and culturally unacceptable.
“These behaviors carry heavy statutory punishments, including up to 14 years in prison. The law does not distinguish between a student and a common criminal,” Masiga cautioned.
“As a cultural institution, we are mandated to offer moral guidance, and we will continue visiting every school, on foot if we must, to speak to our children. We are the campus of morality in Masaabaland.”
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