Bagisu are hardworking people, cultural leadership must now provide the necessary guidance

By Steven Masiga

President Museveni recently tweeted something that went very viral about the Bagisu people being overwhelmingly hardworking, though he noted that they had been let down by some politicians from the region.

I am in total agreement that the politicians who may have let us down are from Bugisu and not from Teso or Sebei, since each region has its own crop of politicians who influence public opinion and, where necessary, play a guiding role in their communities.

For the last six years, I have spoken for the Bugisu Cultural Institution as its spokesperson. This has placed me in a very vantage position to understand the psychology and character of our people. I can, with accurate precision, identify a traitor thousands of miles away. I can tell who can betray you and by which means.

Whereas politicians, as alluded to by President Museveni, may have failed to guide Bugisu as a region, an assertion that is not in dispute, focus should now shift away from moribund politicians from Bugisu and turn to His Highness the Umukuka, who, through his teams, is moving across schools to encourage learners to complete the entire educational cycle by making use of the available government universal education programmes.

His Highness has a core duty to work closely with several government institutions and play a supportive role in community development.

The Umukuka has taken a central role in uniting his community and encouraging fidelity in several dimensions. The increasing visibility of His Highness and his teams in community mobilization and clan structures is gaining traction, and I know that by 2031, Bugisu will never be the same.

Bugisu has a few politicians who are opposed to the prominence that cultural leadership is gaining. In every community, there are individuals who thrive on chaos. I recall a few lines from a book I read about 20 years ago titled The Making of a Modern Mercenary.

In the book, a passerby salutes a mercenary and wishes him peace, saying, “May God give you peace.” The mercenary becomes offended and responds that peace would bring him hunger because he lives by war.

I know some Bamasaba who thrive on chaos, and I know several politicians who are uncomfortable with the increasing popularity of cultural actors. They fear that the Umukuka may overshadow them in national affairs.

Recently, while meeting His Excellency the President in Mbale, the President showed a lot of comfort when he saw His Highness the Umukuka and his delegation. He warmly received us, demonstrating to the country how much he values community mobilizers such as cultural leaders.

Traditionally, through archaeological evidence and oral history, the ancient ancestors of the Bagisu were men and women who willingly guided our community to where we are today. Our people are accommodative and readily interact even with strangers and former foes.

Unlike some recorded anthropological accounts of neighbouring communities that often raided for food and livestock, our people have historically been serious farmers, just like other Bantu highland communities such as the Bakiga.

In ancient Bugisu, indolence was strongly discouraged and punished. An idle person could not easily be allowed to marry another person’s daughter because hard work was considered a key measure of responsibility and character.

It is therefore a clarion call to our people to carefully listen to His Highness the Umukuka and to government so that we can continue promoting the gospel of hard work as emphasized by President Yoweri Museveni.

The Bible itself condemns indolent behaviour in several verses, and I urge our people to avoid and refrain from it.

Let us follow in the footsteps of our hardworking ancestors and avoid intrigue, malice, and unnecessary divisions, which are socially destructive. With His Highness Jude Mike Mudoma as the custodian of our culture, Bugisu is now headed for bigger things.

Let us fully listen to the Umukuka, who is the custodian of our culture and customs. Once we immerse ourselves in the customs and norms of our ancestors, which emphasized hard work, discipline, and unity, we shall be headed for greater achievements.

As a community, we should reject politicians who seek to make a mockery of our collective efforts while benefiting from them. Together, we should steer Bugisu towards the promised cultural vision.

I urge every Umumasaba to open his or her eyes and ears wide and listen carefully to the guidance of His Highness the Umukuka.

Let us concentrate on things that will uplift our community and shun unnecessary confrontations and distractions.

The writer is the Spokesperson of the Bugisu Cultural Institution.