MBALE, Uganda: The Bugisu Cultural Institution has welcomed reports that Inzu Ya Masaba has been deregistered by the Uganda Registration Services Bureau (URSB), describing the development as a significant step toward clarifying cultural leadership structures in the Bugisu sub-region.
Speaking on Saturday, Bugisu Cultural Institution spokesperson Steven Masiga said the reported deregistration would prevent Inzu Ya Masaba from continuing operations as a legal entity and end what he described as confusion among communities regarding cultural representation.
Masiga alleged that Inzu Ya Masaba had been operating as a company rather than a legally recognized cultural institution.
“According to the laws of Uganda, deregistration means such an entity can no longer legally operate, hold itself out as a registered body or continue certain activities associated with corporate status,” Masiga said.
He argued that the development would enable members of the public and stakeholders to better understand the ownership and management structure of the organization.
Masiga further claimed that the move follows earlier legal opinions questioning the status of Inzu Ya Masaba as a cultural institution.
He cited a previous opinion allegedly issued by the Attorney General’s office which, according to him, stated that Inzu Ya Masaba was registered as a company under Uganda’s Companies Act and did not constitute a recognized traditional or cultural institution under existing laws.
“The legal framework governing cultural institutions in Uganda is provided for under the Constitution and the Institution of Traditional or Cultural Leaders Act, 2011. Anyone seeking recognition as a cultural leader must follow that legal process,” Masiga said.
He maintained that cultural institutions should be established and recognized through the procedures outlined in Uganda’s cultural and traditional leadership laws rather than through company registration mechanisms.
By press time, URSB had not publicly issued a statement regarding the reported deregistration, while officials from Inzu Ya Masaba had not yet responded to the claims.
DailyExpress could not independently verify the status of the organization, and efforts to obtain official documentation from the relevant authorities were ongoing.
The development is likely to reignite debate over cultural leadership and representation within the Bugisu community, where disputes over traditional institutions have persisted for several years.
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