Mbale, Uganda: The Bugisu Cultural Institution has issued a stern warning that any person found impersonating the Umukuka of Bugisu, or unlawfully claiming cultural authority, faces cumulative prison sentences of up to 100 years under Uganda’s Penal Code.
The warning was issued by the institution’s spokesperson, Masiga, in an interview with DailyExpress where he revealed that individuals masquerading as the Umukuka risk severe punishment for a range of criminal offences, including impersonation, fraud, unlawful administration of oaths, and incitement.
He said the institution is increasingly concerned by what it described as deliberate acts of deception and disorder by individuals falsely presenting themselves as cultural leaders of Bugisu.
“The Penal Code Act, Cap. 128, clearly provides for punishment of these crimes. Our silence has been mistaken for weakness, yet the law is very clear,” Masiga said in a telephone interview from Mbale.
Seven Years for Impersonation Alone
According to Masiga, Section 354 of the Penal Code criminalises personation, including falsely claiming to be the Umukuka or any gazetted cultural leader. The offence attracts a sentence of up to seven years’ imprisonment upon conviction.
He noted that many of the alleged offenders are elderly men, meaning such sentences would effectively amount to life imprisonment.
“Claiming to be Umukuka when you are not gazetted is a serious offence. Some of these people, given their age, will never walk out of prison,” he said.
Masiga further cited Sections 42 and 43 of the Penal Code, which criminalise the administration of unlawful oaths. Under Section 43(a)(iii), both the person administering such an oath and the beneficiary face up to 14 years in prison if the oath is calculated to disturb public peace.
“These unlawful oaths are dangerous. They destabilise communities and threaten peace. The law does not spare anyone involved,” he said.
The Bugisu Cultural Spox also accused the impersonators of fraud, punishable by seven years in prison, and incitement to violence, which carries a three-year sentence. He warned that when these offences are charged concurrently, offenders could face decades in prison, adding up to what he described as “close to 100 years behind bars.”
The institution also raised alarm over alleged fraudulent fundraising activities, including claims linked to a so-called Mbale public university project. “Mbale public university is a government programme. Claims that Shs2 billion has been collected are a hoax, and that money must be refunded to its owners,” Masiga said.
He added that individuals within academic institutions allegedly collaborating with the impersonators “in secrecy” were also on notice.
The Bugisu Cultural Institution reaffirmed that the only recognised Umukuka of Bugisu is Jude Mike Mudoma III, and warned that any parallel claims undermine cultural harmony and public order.
“We will not fold our arms as wrong elements disturb the peace of our community; both the living and the ancestors deserve peace,” Masiga said.
He urged the public to report suspected impersonators to the police, rather than resorting to mob justice. “Nobody should take the law into their own hands. We have courts of law, and the law is sufficient,” Masiga said.
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