Mbale, Uganda: His Highness the Umukuka of Bugisu has extended an amnesty to former officials and rival factions opposed to his leadership, urging reconciliation while warning of consequences for continued defiance.
The spokesperson of the Bugisu Cultural Institution, Steven Masiga, told DailyExpress on Tuesday that the cultural leader has offered what he described as a “peace-building olive branch” to those previously dismissed or opposed to the institution.
Masiga alleged that some individuals who have been fighting the institution were being funded by political actors to destabilize the leadership.
“We therefore encourage them to use the prevailing cultural amnesty provided by His Highness and renounce their belligerent behavior,” Masiga said.
He emphasized that the core mandate of the cultural institution is unity among the Bamasaaba people. “Forgiveness is not a sign of weakness. As a cultural institution, we must promote reconciliation and moral restoration,” Masiga said, urging those misled to apologize and rejoin the mainstream leadership.
He also cautioned politicians against allegedly financing divisions within the institution. “The Cultural Institution was established under the Cultural Leaders Act and the Constitution of Uganda. Politicians should desist from dividing our people,” he added.
Warning to Rival Structures
Masiga further warned individuals operating under what he termed “illegal and secretive structures,” including factions linked to Inzu Ya Masaaba, to take advantage of the five-day oral amnesty which he said expires this week.
He said failure to comply would attract “serious consequences.”
The spokesperson also referenced alleged illegal fundraising activities linked to the proposed Mbale Public University project, which he described as a government initiative promised by President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni.
Masiga called upon oversight bodies, including the Inspector General of Government (IGG), to investigate what he termed unlawful collections allegedly amounting to Shs2 billion.
He insisted that no unauthorized groups should collect funds in the name of cultural or educational projects without legal backing.
The amnesty, according to Masiga, aims to restore harmony within the Bugisu Cultural Institution while reaffirming its legally recognized leadership.
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