Don’t use culture to fight gov’t projects – Bugisu leaders warn

Mbale, Uganda: The spokesperson of the Bugisu cultural institution, Mr Steven Masiga, has warned against attempts by what he termed as illegal and subversive groups to use the Bugisu cultural institution to undermine ongoing and planned government projects in the sub-region, particularly the proposed establishment of a public university.

Masiga said a section of individuals claiming to represent the interests of the Bamasaaba were exploiting delays in the rollout of a public university in Bugisu to launch an unauthorised fundraising drive, allegedly targeting Shs2 billion from community members.

He said the group, which he described as illegitimate, was opposed to the leadership of Umukuka III Jude Mike Mudoma and had already been reported to police for its conduct.

“There is a group riding on the issue of the delayed public university to solicit money from Bamasaaba. This group is illegal, it does not recognise the leadership of Umukuka III, and we have alerted the police about their actions,” Masiga said.

He further clarified that the idea of a public university for Bugisu was formally presented to President Museveni by local leaders from the sub-region during a meeting in Kapchorwa several years ago, where the President agreed to grant Bugisu its own public university.

Masiga noted that in early November, Umukuka III Jude Mike Mudoma led a delegation of Bugisu cultural leaders, including Prime Minister Paul Mwambu and himself as spokesperson, to meet the President, where the matter was again raised.

“The Umukuka reminded the President about the university he had promised Bugisu, and the President assured us that the process would begin any time,” Masiga said.

Warning Against Illicit Fundraising

The Spokesperson said the cultural institution could not remain silent while “subversive elements” allegedly mobilise funds from outside the region and diaspora groups under the guise of establishing a university.

“I have seen NUP supporters and UPC elements living outside Uganda, in places like Canada, pledging to fund this so-called university. This is a cover-up to destabilise the region and attack the legitimate leadership,” he said.

He warned that, according to the National Council for Higher Education, establishing a university requires vast land and several billions of shillings, questioning the credibility of a Shs2 billion fundraising target.

“What is Shs2 billion to a university? Let government budget properly for Bugisu as part of the national cake,” Masiga said.

‘Bugisu Cannot Have Two Cultural Leaders’

Masiga accused the group of attempting to use the university issue to forcefully claim cultural leadership, warning that Bugisu cannot have two Umukuka.

“No one should seek attention by using Bugisu cultural institutions. Granting a public university involves over Shs100 billion in take-off funds, and we cannot allow anyone to disorganise that process because of greed or ambition to become Umukuka,” he said.

He further rejected what he described as the masquerading of an individual addressing Bamasaaba from private residences. “Any legitimate Umukuka has an office recognised and provided by local governments. We salute the local governments for distancing themselves from these claims,” Masiga said.

He revealed that over 300 clan chairpersons had recently vowed to take action against what they described as continued disturbance of peace among the Bamasaaba.